Facial rehabilitation by the application of osseointegrated craniofacial implants.
A new approach to the facial rehabilitation of patients with congenital and acquired deformities is introduced in this short note. This method involves having a bone implant that allows the anaplastologist to fabricate a custom prosthesis for use in patients with disfigurement. The design of the implantation site is done before the surgical procedure. The titanium oxide fixtures and abutments are submerged and extrude through the skin by a small window. The attachment for the replacement part is achieved by using a metallic bar or magnets. A small space is left at the interface for ventilation of the skin and to avoid any maceration that will compromise the integrity and long-term accepted outcome. This new method is not a replacement of the traditional techniques but an augmentation for the accepted methods in facial rehabilitation.
Habal
M B
MB
Tampa Bay Craniofacial Center, FL 33603, USA.
Davilla
E
E
D004431:Ear, External; D006801:Humans; D008447:Maxillofacial Prosthesis; D019931:Maxillofacial Prosthesis Implantation; D009915:Orbit; D016348:Osseointegration; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D014025:Titanium
D014025:Titanium