A person may be missing part of the face due to a congenital or acquired condition. A congenital condition is one you are born with; such as a facial cleft or hemifacial microsomia. An acquired condition exists as a result of facial injury (trauma) or due to surgery to remove a tumor. An ear, eye or nose may be affected. In any case, this may affect the way you look or function.
For many facial conditions, surgical reconstruction is the most natural way to restore appearance and normal function. However, such reconstructive surgery is not always possible or desirable. In such cases, a facial prosthesis can be an alternative treatment.
A facial prosthesis is an artificial replacement of an eye, ear, nose or other part of the face that restores a normal appearance, can improve function. The prosthesis is made of medical-grade silicone rubber and is custom-made to fit the individual patient’s fit and appearance. Fabrication is a simple and painless procedure that requires 5-7 office visits to complete.
Once you and your prosthodontist have determined that a facial prosthesis is the best treatment for you, manufacturing begins. At the first visit, an impression or mold is made of your face. Plaster is then poured into this mold to make a model of your face. At the next visit, a prototype of the prosthesis is sculpted in wax to determine the correct size, shape and position. In the case of an acquired condition, you may be asked to bring photographs of yourself before the accident or surgery to use as sculpting references. Sometimes it may take more than one visit to complete the sculpting process.
Next, a color formula is determined for your skin that will make your prosthesis appear lifelike and blend in with your natural skin color. A plaster mold is then made of the wax mold, the wax is melted away, and silicone rubber in different skin colors is painted and poured into the mold to make the prosthesis. The closed mold is placed in a special laboratory oven so that the silicone can be processed into a soft, rubbery consistency.
The prosthesis can be held in place with special skin glues or attachments that are connected to small titanium screws or implants that have been placed in the bone around the affected facial area. You and your maxillofacial prosthodontist will decide which method of retention is best for you.
When you receive the prosthesis, your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to put on and take off the prosthesis. They will also instruct you on how to keep the prosthesis clean and how to care for the skin under and around the prosthesis. Normally, the denture is kept clean by gently brushing it with a soft toothbrush and mild soap and water. The skin must also be cleaned daily with soap and water. If you decide to get the titanium implants to hold your prosthesis in place, they will require a little extra time and effort to gently brush around them with a soft brush to keep them clean and the surrounding skin healthy. These simple procedures should be performed at least once a day (usually at bedtime) to maintain skin health and to keep the prosthesis looking good and fitting well. The prosthesis must be removed to sleep.
These documents and links are intended to inform you about problems, comorbidities and treatment options related to various diagnoses and jaw prosthesis treatments that may be of interest to you. The information is not intended to suggest or dictate treatment or outcomes, but may serve to start a discussion with your doctor and prosthodontist.
