Fabrication of a maxillofacial prosthesis using a computer-aided design and manufacturing system.
OBJECTIVE
Maxillofacial prostheses are usually fabricated on the basis of impressions made with dental-impression material. The extent to which the prosthesis reproduces normal facial morphology depends on the clinical judgment of the individual fabricating the prosthesis. This paper describes a computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system for the fabrication of maxillofacial prostheses. This system will provide a more consistently accurate reproduction of facial morphology.


METHODS
Facial measurements were taken using a non-contact three-dimensional laser morphological measurement system. The measurements were sent to a computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling machine to generate a cast of the patient's face for the fabrication of prosthesis.


RESULTS
Facial contours were measured using a laser. This method minimizes patient discomfort and avoids soft tissue distortion by impression material. Moreover, the digital data obtained is easy to store and transmit, and mirror-images can be readily generated by computer processing.


CONCLUSIONS
This method offers an objective, quantified approach for fabricating maxillofacial prostheses.
Tsuji
Mitsuhiro
M
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saga Medical School, Saga 849-0937, Japan. tsujim2@post.saga-med.ac.jp
Noguchi
Nobuhiro
N
Ihara
Koichiro
K
Yamashita
Yoshio
Y
Shikimori
Michio
M
Goto
Masaaki
M
D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008447:Maxillofacial Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods