Development and application of a rapid rehabilitation system for reconstruction of maxillofacial soft-tissue defects related to war and traumatic injuries.
BACKGROUND
The application of a maxillofacial prosthesis is an alternative to surgery in functional-aesthetic facial reconstruction. Computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing has opened up a new approach to the fabrication of maxillofacial prostheses. An intelligentized rapid simulative design and manufacturing system for prostheses was developed to facilitate the prosthesis fabrication procedure.


METHODS
The rapid simulation design and rapid fabrication system for maxillofacial prostheses consists of three components: digital impression, intelligentized prosthesis design, and rapid manufacturing. The patients' maxillofacial digital impressions were taken with a structured-light 3D scanner; then, the 3D model of the prostheses and their negative molds could be designed with specific software; lastly, with resin molds fabricated by the rapid prototyping machine, the prostheses could be produced directly and quickly.


RESULTS
Fifteen patients with maxillofacial defects received prosthesis rehabilitation provided by the established system. The total clinical time used for each patient was only 4 hours over 2 appointments on average. The contours of the prostheses coordinated properly with the appearance of the patients, and the uniform-thickness border sealed well to adjacent tissues. All of the patients were satisfied with their prostheses.


CONCLUSIONS
The rapid simulative rehabilitation system of maxillofacial defects is approaching completion. It could provide an advanced technological solution for the Army in cases of maxillofacial defect rehabilitation.
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University, 145 Changlexi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032 China.
Shi-Zhu
SZ
Bai
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University, 145 Changlexi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032 China.
Zhi-Hong
ZH
Feng
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University, 145 Changlexi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032 China.
Rui
R
Gao
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University, 145 Changlexi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032 China.
Yan
Y
Dong
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University, 145 Changlexi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032 China.
Yun-Peng
YP
Bi
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University, 145 Changlexi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032 China.
Guo-Feng
GF
Wu
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University, 145 Changlexi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032 China.
Xi
X
Chen
CAD/CAM; Defect rehabilitation; Maxillofacial defect; Prosthesis design; War and traumatic injuries