Maxillofacial Prosthetics provides restorations for patients with defects or disabilities that leave areas of bone or tissue missing. These appliances can help restore oral functions like swallowing, speech, and chewing. Beyond providing functional support, they can also have cosmetic and psychological benefits.
How Maxillofacial Prosthetics Help Patients
By providing a maxillofacial prosthesis, we can take on cosmetic and functional issues that impact a patient’s life. These restorations can help after an accident, the surgical removal of diseased tissues, or to manage the effects of a neuromuscular disorder from ALS or a stroke.
These appliances are also important for addressing congenital defects. Children who are born without the full development of ears, teeth, or palate can require this support. In some cases, prostheses are created to serve as shields that protect developed tissues during radiation therapies.
We work cooperatively with ENTs, general and specialty dentists, plastic surgeons, neurologists, radiation oncologists, speech pathologists, anaplastologists, and other personnel. If you are a physician interested in making a referral or in collaborative work, please call our office.
Types Of Prostheses We Can Provide
Extraoral Prostheses
- Ocular Prosthesis: Replaces the eye.
- Orbital Prosthesis: Replaces the eye and surrounding tissues.
- Auricular Prosthesis: Replaces the ear.
- Nasal Prosthesis: Replaces the nose.
- Midfacial Prosthesis: Replaces part of the face, which may involve more than one structure.
- Somatic Prosthesis: Replaces a body part like fingers, hands, etc.
- Radiation Shield: Worn during radiation therapy for protection of normal tissues.
Intraoral Prostheses
- Surgical Obturator Prosthesis: Covers palate after partial or total loss of the maxilla (upper jaw). This is used after surgery to provide closure.
- Interim and Definitive Obturator: Covers palate after partial or total loss of maxilla or due to cleft palate. It restores teeth and gums and has an extension which closes the defect or hole for swallowing, eating, chewing, and speaking.
- Palatal Lift Prosthesis: Helps soft palate assume correct position for speech.
- Palatal Augmentation (Drop) Prosthesis: Alters palate prosthetically for speech.
- Mandibular Resection Prosthesis: Replaces portion of the jaw that has been lost and restores gums and teeth.
- Fluoride Carrier: Tray filled with Fluoride gel for patients with dry mouth from medications, radiation therapy, or certain medical conditions. Helps to strengthen, protect and preserve compromised teeth.
Learn More About Maxillofacial Prosthetic Care Offered At Modern Dentistry Of Shrewsbury
Maxillofacial Prosthetics provide important restoration for facial and oral bone and tissue loss that stems from congenital issues as well as injury or disease. To learn how a carefully constructed prosthetic appliance can help you or a loved one, call our dental office in the Shrewsbury/Grafton, MA area at 508-842-8838.
