9-year follow up on maxillofacial implant-supported framework designed to accommodate childhood growth

This clinical report focuses on the challenges and solutions for a child subjected to craniofacial trauma from a wild hyena biting off his nose and anterior maxilla. Unique considerations in prosthodontics and biomedical engineering were required based on future craniofacial growth and development of the child. The physical requirement of a maximum retentive prosthesis for an active, athletic child required unique engineering designs and executions. The sequence of treatment and prosthesis fabrication are detailed. The patient has been followed for nine years without physiologic complications and only minor prosthodontic complications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The challenge of managing oral maxillofacial rehabilitation with quality and cost-benefit

Although orofacial cancer leads to substantial functional, esthetic, and psychosocial deficits for patients, reconstructive plastic surgeries may not be indicated for large facial defects. The high costs of prosthetic oral maxillofacial rehabilitation may hamper such treatment, which commonly involves virtual planning, craniofacial implants, and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufactured prostheses. This report shows the treatment of 2 patients with large facial defects from surgical resection of cancerous tissue who were rehabilitated with implant-supported bar-clip overdentures and facial prostheses fabricated by using low-cost straightforward methods.

Single-stage osseointegrated implants for nasal prosthodontic rehabilitation: A clinical report

Malignant tumors in the nasal region may be treated by means of invasive surgical procedures, with large facial losses. Nasal prostheses, retained by osseointegrated facial implants, instead of plastic surgery, will, in most patients, offer good biomechanical and cosmetic results. This clinical report describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient with nasal cancer who had the entire nasal vestibule removed in a single-stage surgical procedure in order to shorten the rehabilitation time. The nasal prosthesis was built on a 3-magnet bar and was made of platinum silicone with intrinsic pigmentation, thereby restoring the patient's appearance and self-esteem. The authors concluded that single-stage implants may reduce the rehabilitation time to as little as 1 month, and the correct use of materials and techniques may significantly improve the nasal prosthesis.

A Prototype External Magnetic Eyelid Device for Blepharoptosis

PURPOSE

To test a prototype magnet system (magnetic levator prosthesis) for the ability to comfortably and non-invasively provide eye opening with maintenance of the blink in people with paralytic ptosis and determine preliminary efficacy for short-term clinical application.

METHODS

The prototype device consisted of a magnet on a spectacle frame and a micro-magnet array mounted externally on the eyelid. Participants with unilateral CN III palsy (n=3) trialed the predicate (ptosis crutch) and magnet device. Video analysis was used to quantify changes in eyelid opening and subjective responses were documented with a rating scale. A 20-minute and then a 1-week trial were offered.

RESULTS

The magnetic levator prosthesis device was effective to provide eye opening while allowing, at minimum, a volitional blink without ill effects on the eyelid skin or ocular surface. Comfort scores ranged from 6 to 9 out of 10 over 3 evaluations. All patients chose an extended trial of the magnet device and reported continued 8-9/10 comfort and efficacy after the extended 1-week trial.

CONCLUSIONS

Comfortable and effective restoration of eye opening with maintenance of the blink is feasible using external static magnets and warrants further study.

TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE

This is the first careful documentation of the successful use of an externally mounted static magnet system to treat paralytic ptosis.