Craniofacial prosthesis
Encyclopedia
Craniofacial prostheses are prostheses made by individuals trained in anaplastology
or maxillofacial prosthodontics
who medically help rehabilitate those suffering from facial defects caused by disease
(mostly progressed forms of skin cancer
, and head and neck cancer
), trauma (outer ear trauma, eye trauma) or birth defects (microtia
, anophthalmia
). They have the ability to replace almost any part of the face, but most commonly is the ear
, nose
or eye
/eyelids. An ocular prosthesis
and hair prosthesis
can also be classified as craniofacial prostheses. Prostheses are held in place either by biocompatible drying adhesives, osseointegrated implants
, magnets, or another mechanical form (although rare) such as glasses or straps. Prostheses are designed to be as similar as possible to the natural anatomy of each individual. Their purpose is to cover, protect, and disguise facial disfigurements or underdevelopments.
When surgical reconstruction is not ideal, craniofacial prosthetics are favored when they can better restore the form and function of the absent facial feature. Craniofacial prosthetics are not wholly considered cosmetic because they replace the physical form and functional mechanics
of the absent anatomy and serve a significant role in the emotional stability and rehabilitation of those suffering from facial defects.
Anaplastology
Anaplastology is a branch of medicine dealing with the prosthetic rehabilitation of an absent, disfigured, or malformed anatomically critical location of the face or body. The term anaplastology was coined by Walter G...
or maxillofacial prosthodontics
Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics, also known as dental prosthetics or prosthetic dentistry, is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons...
who medically help rehabilitate those suffering from facial defects caused by disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
(mostly progressed forms of skin cancer
Skin cancer
Skin neoplasms are skin growths with differing causes and varying degrees of malignancy. The three most common malignant skin cancers are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises...
, and head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancer refers to a group of biologically similar cancers that start in the upper aerodigestive tract, including the lip, oral cavity , nasal cavity , paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. 90% of head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas , originating from the mucosal lining...
), trauma (outer ear trauma, eye trauma) or birth defects (microtia
Microtia
Microtia, also called microtia-anotia, is a congenital deformity where the pinna is very small and underdeveloped or absent . It can be unilateral or bilateral . It occurs in 1 out of about 8,000–10,000 births. In unilateral microtia, the right ear is most commonly affected...
, anophthalmia
Anophthalmia
Anophthalmia, also known as anophthalmos , is the congenital absence of one or both eyes.-Prevalence:...
). They have the ability to replace almost any part of the face, but most commonly is the ear
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
, nose
Human nose
The visible part of the human nose is the protruding part of the face that bears the nostrils. The shape of the nose is determined by the ethmoid bone and the nasal septum, which consists mostly of cartilage and which separates the nostrils...
or eye
Human eye
The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
/eyelids. An ocular prosthesis
Ocular prosthesis
An ocular prosthesis or artificial eye replaces an absent natural eye following an enucleation, evisceration, or orbital exenteration. The prosthetic fits over an orbital implant and under the eyelids. Often referred to as a glass eye, the ocular prosthesis roughly takes the shape of a convex...
and hair prosthesis
Hair prosthesis
A Hair prosthesis , is a custom-made wig specifically designed for patients who have lost their hair as a result of medical conditions or treatments, such as alopecia areata...
can also be classified as craniofacial prostheses. Prostheses are held in place either by biocompatible drying adhesives, osseointegrated implants
Osseointegration
Osseointegration derives from the Greek osteon, bone, and the Latin integrare, to make whole. The term refers to the direct structural and functional connection between living bone and the surface of a load-bearing artificial implant...
, magnets, or another mechanical form (although rare) such as glasses or straps. Prostheses are designed to be as similar as possible to the natural anatomy of each individual. Their purpose is to cover, protect, and disguise facial disfigurements or underdevelopments.
When surgical reconstruction is not ideal, craniofacial prosthetics are favored when they can better restore the form and function of the absent facial feature. Craniofacial prosthetics are not wholly considered cosmetic because they replace the physical form and functional mechanics
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of physical bodies when subjected to forces or displacements, and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment....
of the absent anatomy and serve a significant role in the emotional stability and rehabilitation of those suffering from facial defects.
See also
- AnaplastologyAnaplastologyAnaplastology is a branch of medicine dealing with the prosthetic rehabilitation of an absent, disfigured, or malformed anatomically critical location of the face or body. The term anaplastology was coined by Walter G...
- Prosthetic
- ProsthodonticsProsthodonticsProsthodontics, also known as dental prosthetics or prosthetic dentistry, is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons...
- Facial prostheticFacial prostheticA facial prosthetic or facial prosthesis is an artificial device used to change or adapt the outward appearance of a person's face or head....
- Prosthetics for entertainment or recreational use