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1. Introduction
Maxillofacial prostheses play a vital role in comprehensive rehabilitation by restoring physical and psychological well-being in patients with missing or disfigured anatomical structures due to congenital abnormalities, trauma, or disease [1]. It is possible to restore esthetics, function and re-establish the self confidence of the patient by providing a well designed prosthesis such as a prosthetic ear, eye, nose, cranial plate or a combination of these.
The last few decades have witnessed a significant increase in extensive malignancies of the head and neck region [2]. This has resulted in increasing number of patients with extensive post-surgical defects. Many of them need to be suitably rehabilitated to minimize long-term physical, functional and psychological consequences and ensure early return to normal life. In addition, these patients could be more willing to accept large surgical resections, if counseled about prosthetic reconstruction, prior to definitive surgery. It is crucial that all such patients receive a pre-operative referral to a maxillofacial prosthodontist prior to surgery [3].
When these patients report to the maxillofacial prosthetic clinic they report with complex defects and their general health status is also compromised. Achieving adequate retention of the prosthesis, especially when the defect is extensive, is a big challenge and requires a multi-disciplinary approach. With the advent of predictable osseointegration, a new era dawned in the field of prosthodontic rehabilitation of the head and neck region. Cases that were earlier condemned as “hopeless” were suddenly given a new range of options and the chance to be comprehensively restored to form and function. This chapter discusses the role of implants in comprehensive maxillofacial rehabilitation.
2. Retention of maxillofacial prostheses
Historically the means of achieving retention of facial prostheses has been primarily by use of medical adhesives or by means of anatomical or mechanical retention using various devices such as spectacles, springs, studs, clips or magnets [3]. An ideal adhesive should be one that provides firm functional retention under flexure or extension during speech, facial expressions, and moisture or perspiration contact, however such an adhesive is not yet available. Facial prostheses may additionally be retained by judicious use of anatomic tissue undercuts, thereby minimizing the displacement potential caused by other external forces. There is a potential for tissue irritation with use of this technique and due care and regular follow up is a must. Special care is warranted where tissues have been previously irradiated.
2.1. Cellular level changes of osseointegration
It is necessary to have a clear concept about the science of implantation and the healing of bone following a successful implant placement. Osseous healing along an implant follows a similar process to fracture healing but is subjective to the nature of the surface of the implant [4]. As soon as blood comes into contact with the surface of the implant, proteins adsorb to it, platelets get activated and bind to the adsorbed protein which results in the formation of a clot. This coagulum at the implant surface supports the deposition of proteins, releases inflammatory mediators and initiates new tissue formation. The release of numerous signaling molecules influence the migration of monocytes, neutrophils (both involved in inflammation), and mesenchymal cells (cells that can differentiate into osteoblasts) towards the implant surface [4]. Following the aggregation of neutrophils and macrophages from nearby capillary beds to the implant site there is further release of inflammatory mediators which are necessary for the initiation of osteogenesis. Components of tissue growth factor β (TGF-β) super-family are also expressed within 24 hours of implantation, including bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and growth & differentiation factors (GDFs). These signaling molecules result in the collection, migration, and differentiation of mesenchymal cells, which take part in the formation of woven bone. Woven bone subsequently undergoes a sequence of remodeling, resulting in the formation of mature bone which is the desired end result [5].
2.2. Implant surface modifications
Various surface modifications are being commercially marketed since the days of the first Brånemark implants [6]. Grit-blasting and acid etching still remain the most commonly employed surface modification techniques in use today. Sand blasting increases the surface area of the implant as compared to machined surfaces. The resultant increase in surface area has been shown to improve cell attachment and proliferation which results in increased implant stability [7 – 10]. Electrochemical anodization is another chemical surface modification method that has been employed. This process increases surface micro-texture and also modifies the chemistry of the implant coating resulting in a titanium oxide layer that is several orders of magnitude thicker than a passivated surface [11, 12]. The addition of a ceramic coating to the roughened surface is another method of improving osseoconductivity. Here a plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coating is used to create an irregular surface for osseointegration. The process involves blasting the implant surface with HA particles at a high temperature. The result is a coating that develops cracks as it rapidly cools. These coatings show enhanced bone-to-implant contact initially, in vivo, however the mechanical properties of the bone-coating interface has exhibited non-uniform degradation in the long term [13-16].
In other alternatives, crystalline deposition of nano-sized calcium phosphate and addition of a fluoride treatment to roughened titanium surfaces have also been tried with varying success [17-19]. While several advances in surface modification have been made in order to improve implant osseointegration, no treatment addresses the issue of reducing infection. While some manufacturers claim to be bacteria-proof due to their tight interlocking, the implant itself does not prevent bacterial attachment which can lead to formation of biofilms and subsequent implant failure [20, 21].
2.3. Craniofacial implants
In order to obtain predictable craniofacial osseointegration, different protocols had to be developed. It was necessary to have certain modifications as compared to the oral implants. These implants were made from titanium alloys and were generally shorter i.e. 3 – 5 mm long, threaded and with the same machined surface as the oral implants. It was further found important to attach a flange in the coronal part of the fixture [Figure 1]. The reason for this was the idea that even if the implant was subjected to a longitudinally directed trauma, the flange would prevent it to from being pushed into the deeper structures. This has also proved to be a safe and secure measure, as several trauma cases have occurred, but only a minority have caused fractures of the skull bone, and none have caused severe damage [22].
Figure 1.
Design of craniofacial implants
The first abutment that was originally used was also of an intraoral type, but with time, extra-oral abutments of different types were developed. These include abutments for the bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) and abutments for bone-anchored epistheses (BAE). The length of the fixtures to be used is determined by the thickness of the cranial bones. In a normal adult the temporal bone has a thickness of approximately 4 mm. This is also the length of the most commonly available implants. It may be possible to install longer fixtures in the frontal bone, zygoma and maxilla. The skin over the abutments has to be reduced to a minimum. This is to prevent constant discomfort or trauma experienced by the patient when the prosthesis will move. Patients who have split skin grafts around the implant abutment show the least skin penetration problems [22, 23].
In pediatric cases the skull bone is much thinner, sometimes barely 1–3 mm thick. In these cases a different approach is necessitated. A simple technique is by the utilization of a semi-permeable membrane at the first stage surgery [24]. By utilizing this technique, 1–2 mm bone can be gained during a 6-month healing period, thus making it possible to install a 4-mm long fixture also in children. The semi-permeable membrane is then removed at the second stage surgery.
Osseointegration in irradiated bone was early believed to be contraindicated. Patients who are recovering from various forms of cancer need comprehensive rehabilitation and can benefit a lot from the use of osseointegrated implants. Clinically though there were higher failure rates along with certain other problems such as dehiscence of the soft tissue as well as osteoradionecrosis [25]. Taking into consideration that the irradiated bone will take longer to heal it is advisable to first delay the placement of the implant and also to allow 4 to 8 months for osseointegration. Another approach is to expose the patients to adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). HBO has been shown to accelerate healing and also prevent osteoradionecrosis [26, 27]. In 2013, de Oliveira, Abrahão and Dib [28] however found that there is no difference in implant success between irradiated and normal bone. Keeping all things constant and knowing the risk factors involved it seems to be better to ensure all precautions are maintained in case selection, implant placement and also to ensure that the patient receives HBO therapy to reduce failures in patients who have received some form of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
2.4. Factors of importance for predictable osseointegration
There are six factors of importance that must be carefully monitored to ensure predictable osseointegration [29-31].
2.5. Retention of maxillofacial prostheses and craniofacial implants
With the increased use of osseointegrated implants, dependence on adhesive and anatomic methods of retention has diminished. Magnets or clips can be used to effectively retain the prostheses [Figure 2] and will also minimize force transfer to the implant and supporting bone. The resultant decrease in dependence on chemical (adhesives) and anatomic (tissue undercuts) retention is beneficial to both the patient and the prosthodontist [31 – 35].
Figure 2.
Different retention options for attachment of craniofacial prostheses
Craniofacial implants require adequate osseous thickness of the bone on the temporal and mastoid regions, for example in the rehabilitation of a case of congenital microtia. Thus, implant placement may not be as ideal in normal situations or with acquired defects from accidents. Other designs may also be provided if the distance between the two implants is too close or too far apart. Other crucial factors in rehabilitating this type of defect are marginal fit, good retention, and acceptable esthetics. Various studies have shown that retention using craniofacial implants has improved the satisfaction of patients with craniofacial prostheses. However, the actual level of satisfaction depends, to a large extent, on the location or type of defect, sex, and age of the patient [36 – 38].
3. Orbital prosthesis
In order to address the area of rehabilitation of the orbit it is vital to understand the different types of surgical techniques used in ophthalmic surgeries. Evisceration, enucleation, and exenteration are the three main surgical techniques by which all or parts of the orbital contents are removed [39]. Evisceration is the removal of the contents of the globe while leaving the sclera and extra-ocular muscles intact. Enucleation is the removal of the eye from the orbit while preserving all other orbital structures. Exenteration is the most radical of the three procedures and involves removal of the eye, adnexa, and part of the bony orbit.
Evisceration is usually indicated in cases of endophthalmitis unresponsive to antibiotics and for improvement of esthetics in an eye that is damaged and has lost its vision. Enucleation is indicated for the above two conditions as well as for painful eyes with no useful vision, malignant intraocular tumors, in ocular trauma to avoid sympathetic ophthalmia in the second eye, in phthisis with degeneration, and in congenital anophthalmia or severe microphthalmia to enhance development of the bony orbit. Exenteration is indicated mainly for large orbital tumors or orbital extension of intraocular tumors [39].
The first two namely evisceration and enucleation can be easily rehabilitated with excellent cosmetic results using custom made ocular prostheses [1, 3]. These are fabricated after custom made impressions using silicone impression materials and can be retained fairly well if the eyelids and ocular muscles are intact [Figure 3 – 5]. If required then additional soft tissue components may be fabricated using silicone elastomers which can be shaded and colour matched to the skin of the subject. They may be retained with suitable eye-frames or by use of local undercuts and adhesives [1, 3].
Figure 3.
Ocular Defect Left eye
Figure 4.
Custom-made ocular prosthesis
Figure 5.
Customised orbital prosthesis
Exenteration surgical procedures are far more extensive and need expert and multi-specialty approach for rehabilitation. Post operatively when the patient reports for rehabilitation it may be necessary to advise the patient to undergo an additional surgical procedure to deepen the existing socket or for thinning of the skin flaps used for the initial wound closure. This will ensure better cosmetic outcome as there will be adequate space to accommodate the retentive framework, ocular component as well as the bulk of silicone elastomer. These large prostheses do not function well with adhesives or eye glasses alone [Figure 6 – 8]. Application of implants in these large orbital defects reduces the need for adhesives and enables easy insertion and removal of the prosthesis. Patients can easily remove the prosthesis when not in use and also replace it quickly and effortlessly [39 – 41].
The ideal locations where craniofacial implants may be placed are the supero-lateral rim and the infero-lateral rim. The implants are placed in such a manner that they project into the defect space. The advantage of this is that the boundaries of the prosthesis can conceal the retentive mechanism effectively. It is advisable to place at least three implants both in the upper and the lower orbital rims. This ensures adequate retention even if one or more implants fail. In case the patient has received irradiation as part of the onco-therapeutic process they need to be advised hyperbaric oxygen therapy as described earlier [25 – 27]. The bony architecture in this region is mostly cortical and therefore shorter implants may be are used. It is advisable to wait for 6-8 months for complete osseointegration before the implants are uncovered. The eye prostheses gain maximum retention by use of Neodymium magnets housed in a carrier superstructure within the orbit. Due to the natural shape of the orbit being oval, the abutments, once placed on the implants, will converge toward the center of the orbit. It is therefore important to allow for adequate space of at least 1cm apart between the implants during the surgical phase so that the abutments do not contact thereby interfering with the superstructure.
Figure 6.
Post-exenteration orbital defect
Figure 7.
Custom-made orbital prosthesis
Figure 8.
Orbital prosthesis retained with spectacles
After the abutments are attached the fabrication of the prosthesis may be carried out by the maxillofacial prosthodontic team. The margins of the prosthesis may be thinned to ensure better esthetic outcome. Simple frames may also be used so that the borders are concealed [Figure 8]. Patients need to be kept on regular follow-up protocol for any changes in the implants, skin or colour changes in the prosthesis itself [39, 41].
4. Nasal prosthesis
The nose and its adjacent structures play a vital role in facial esthetics. Unlike other facial structures it cannot be easily hidden or camouflaged and hence any person with a congenital or acquired defect looks for early rehabilitation. Small defects are best reconstructed by the plastic surgeon but when both bone and soft tissue have been lost as a result of malignancy related surgeries or due to severe mid-face trauma, then other alternatives are required [1, 42]. Retention using less invasive methods such as the use of tissue or bony undercuts or mechanical with spectacles has been tried with limited success. Even though it may be a challenge, the use of osseointegrated fixtures will ensure excellent retention and esthetic outcome. Ideally three implants need to be placed for adequate retention. It is recommended that a triangular placement around the residual nasal aperture be used. Two implants should be placed at the area of alar base in a vertical line drawn downward from the medial canthus of each eye. One additional implant is placed at the nasal bridge in the midline inferior to the frontal sinus to complete an isosceles triangle [Figure 9]. The implants at the alar base should project out at 90° to surface. The implant at the midline of the nasal bridge should project downward 30° or at the same angle as the nasal bones project from frontal bone [43].
Figure 9.
Nasal defect with bar attachment on three implants
Figure 10.
Nasal prosthesis in situ
The prosthetic superstructure is fabricated in silicone and retained with the help of clips or magnets [Figure 10] within the prosthesis that engage a metal bar connecting the implants [1, 3]. The connector framework ensures even force distribution over all the three fixtures. In certain cases where there is complete or partial loss of the maxilla and associated midfacial structures, the nasal component may be magnetically connected to the intraoral obturator [Figure 11] thus providing mutual retention to each other [44 – 46]. The use of spectacles once again distracts the observer’s vision from the borders between the skin and the prosthesis and ensures better esthetic outcome [1, 3].
Figure 11.
Nasal and maxillary obturator prosthesis connected with magnets
5. Auricular defects
The auricle may be congenitally malformed as in microtia or may be disfigured as a result of trauma following road traffic accidents, burns, acid attacks, or animal or human bites. Surgically they may be removed due to local malignancies. Plastic surgeons may attempt an autogenous reconstruction of the external ear but it is extremely challenging and technically demanding. In contrast an esthetically pleasing and excellent shade matched auricular prosthesis may be fabricated from acrylic polymers or from silicone elastomers [Figure 12 – 15]. The main problem with these prostheses has been their retention. Traditionally tissue undercuts, mechanical retention with springs, clips, hairpieces and adhesives have been used to hold them in place [3]. These have serious limitations as retention is not very strong and can be dislodged by daily activities of life [47 – 50].
Figure 12.
Bilateral auricular defect following severe burns
Once again osseointegrated implants have proven to be a boon and are presently the method of choice. In these cases two or three implants placed external to the external auditory meatus in the temporo-mastoid region are sufficient [Figure 16]. Implants placed to retain a prosthetic ear are limited in length by the thickness of the mastoid and temporal bones as well as the mastoid air cells. Positioning of implants in the temporal bone is critical to the overall esthetic result and so the use of a surgical guide is mandatory. In cases of microtia or where there are a malformed tissue tags it may be beneficial to have them surgically removed prior to the start of the rehabilitation process [48, 51].
Figure 13.
Wax patterns of ear prosthesis
Figure 14.
Finished and polished silicone ear prostheses
Figure 15.
Bilateral auricular prosthesis (mechanically retained)
Figure 16.
Craniofacial implants placed for ear prosthesis
Figure 17.
Bar retainer connected to the abutments
Figure 18.
Implant retained ear prosthesis in situ
The maxillofacial prosthodontist should fabricate a diagnostic wax-up of the proposed prosthesis replicating the anatomic features of contra-lateral ear and properly positioned to provide facial symmetry [51]. Using the wax pattern a surgical guide is then replicated with acrylic resin or vinyl acetate. The guide should indicate the most optimal location for implant placement. The implants are usually related to the anti helix of the external ear. In this position the exposed implants and the retention system have the best opportunity to be hidden from view. Two retention systems using either metal bars of 2 mm diameter soldered to metallic cylinders or retention clips may be used separately or in combination [Figure 17, 18]. The fabrication steps of the silicone prosthesis follow the routine steps as for other external prostheses. The advantage of having long hair to hide the margins is an added advantage. Cleanliness and proper maintenance is a must and should be ensured at follow-up [51 – 54].
6. Management of the dentate maxillectomy patient
The dental health status of the patient is the first consideration when planning for prosthetic implantation. Preservation of all possible teeth and vigorous dental hygiene are important in the preoperative period to reduce problems in the postoperative period, when cleaning will be difficult if not impossible. The decision to remove maxillary teeth may come into question if the patient may receive pre and post-operative radiation. It is felt by most prosthodontists that the potential risk of osteoradionecrosis resulting from dental treatment in the maxilla is minimal. Each tooth that can be saved has tremendous potential value as an abutment for the obturator prosthesis. Therefore, all teeth should be retained except those that are grossly carious and cannot be restored by any means [55]. In addition to assessment and preservation of teeth, it important to obtain maxillary and mandibular casts in the pre-operative period. Two maxillary casts should be obtained; one to be used as a permanent record, and the other for reproduction of the anticipated surgical defect to be used as a guide for fabrication of the prosthesis. One copy of the pre-operative cast should be kept at all times and further duplication done if so required.
Various designs of intra-oral prostheses are possible keeping in mind the principles as applicable for removable cast framework partial dentures. Where required other forms of additional retention are possible using the myriad commercially available intra-coronal or extra-coronal precision attachments. These should suffice to provide a prosthesis that is functionally stable and acceptable to the patient [55 – 58].
6.1. Obturators
Various types and designs of obturators may be planned. Based on the time of placement they can be classified as: surgical, interim and definitive. Surgical obturators are those that are placed immediately after surgery. Although there has been some disagreement about the value of surgical obturators, they do offer distinct advantages for the surgeon and the patient.
Design of the surgical obturator is a challenge, and involves communication between the surgeon and the prosthodontist. The preoperative plan should be discussed, and actual anticipated defects should be clearly marked on the preoperative cast. Areas that will definitively be resected should be outlined, as well as areas that may be involved. The type of retention method that the surgeon prefers should be communicated prior to surgery [56, 59]. Retention holes in the acrylic plate should be created on the defect side so that the edges can be sutured immediately after surgery to the cheek to support the surgical pack
Interim obturators are those prostheses which are placed immediately after removal of the surgical packing and should be used until tissue contracture is minimal [Figure 21 – 24]. Time between removal of the pack and obturator placement should be minimal, as tissue contraction and edema will quickly alter the shape of the defect, making it difficult to insert an obturator. For this reason, it is important to have a post-surgical obturator made prior to removal of packing. It is also important that the prosthodontist be present with the surgeon when packing is removed so the prosthesis can be inserted immediately after inspection of the surgical site by the surgeon [59].
The definitive obturator is designed when the surgical defect has stabilized, approximately 3 to 12 months after definitive surgery [Figure 25]. The bulb portion that extends into the defect area must be kept hollow in order to lessen the weight of the prosthesis [Figure 26]. The design of the prosthesis should allow maximal distribution of forces to all available teeth, remaining hard palate, walls of the defect, and areas of remaining alveolus. In addition, occlusion must be restored to the best extent possible so that the prosthesis can be functional and not just cosmetic. Regular follow-up is mandatory and modifications should be carried out as required. The prosthodontist must be careful to note signs that the obturator is no longer functioning, such as fluid reflux into the nasal cavity, change in voice quality or TMJ problems [56, 59].
Figure 19.
Surgical obturator with retentive holes on surgical side (left)
Figure 20.
Surgical obturator fixed in situ immediately following surgery
Figure 21.
Healed maxillary defect (mirror image)
Figure 22.
Impression made in irreversible hydrocolloid
Figure 23.
Try-in of maxillary obturator prosthesis
Figure 24.
Interim obturator prosthesis in situ
Figure 25.
Definitive obturator prosthesis in situ
Figure 26.
Definitive obturator prosthesis showing hollow bulb
6.2. Management of the edentulous maxillectomy patient
Edentulous maxillectomy patients are always a challenge for the maxillofacial team due to the complexity of postoperative rehabilitation. Retention of the obturator is a problem since there is a lack of support of adjacent teeth for stabilization. In addition, the reduced volume of residual ridge of the edentulous patient demands that stress be distributed to all available portions of the palate.
Some of the important guidelines to be informed to the maxillofacial surgeon or oncosurgeon at the time of resection are as follows:-[59-62].
Figure 27.
Maximum retention of hard palate (mirror image)
Figure 28.
Skin graft on lateral wall of maxillary post-surgical defect
With the increased use of osseointegrated implants, dependence on mechanical and anatomic methods of retention has diminished. Osseointegrated implants provide excellent retention to the definitive obturator. Retentive magnets and various designs of clips are available to minimize force transfer to the implant and supporting bone [3, 63, 64].
For a long time it was considered taboo to place implants in irradiated bone. However numerous studies have shown that use of hyperbaric oxygen chambers can be of immense value in such patients and allow for successful osseointegration as discussed earlier [25 – 27].
6.3. Zygomatic implants
Remote bone anchorage using zygoma implants for extensive maxillofacial defects is another option. Effective axial loading of the zygoma implant is accomplished by cross-arch stabilization with a rigid splint framework using at least 4 implants with adequate anterior – posterior spread [Figure 29]. When patients present with maxillary defects that do not have ideal residual anatomy, it is may be possible to place zygoma implants in areas that will enhance the desired splinting effect of the bar assembly. The most significant and immediate benefit of this approach is the ability to extend the prosthesis anchorage points into defect areas, thus minimizing the cantilever forces on teeth and implants in residual ridge tissue. Maxillectomy and severely resorbed maxilla are challenging to restore with provision of removable prostheses. Dental implants are essential to restore aesthetics and function and subsequently quality of life in such group of patients. Zygomatic implants reduce the complications associated with bone grafting procedures and simplify the rehabilitation of atrophic maxilla and maxillectomy [65, 66].
Figure 29.
Diagrammatic representation of zygomatic implants
Studies using three-dimensional finite element analysis were carried out to study the impact of different levels of zygomatic bone support (10, 15, and 20 mm) on the biomechanics of zygomatic implants. Results indicated maximum stresses within the fixture were increased by three times, when bone support decreased from 20 to 10 mm, and concentrated at fixture/bone interface. However, stresses within the abutment screw and abutment itself were not significantly different regardless of the bone support level. Supporting bone of 10 mm showed double the stress as compared to levels of 15 and 20 mm. The deflection of the fixtures was decreased by two to three times as the level of bone support increased to 15 mm and 20 mm respectively. Therefore, it important that the zygomatic bone support should not be kept at less than 15 mm. This will reduce the amount of deflection of the fixture and ensure long-term success of the implants [67, 68].
Placement of zygomatic implants lateral to the maxillary sinus, according to the extra-sinus protocol, is one of the treatment options in the rehabilitation of severely atrophic maxilla or following maxillectomy surgery in the head and neck cancer patients. Studies on a full-arch fixed-prosthesis supported by four zygomatic implants in the atrophic maxilla under occlusal loading have shown that maximum von Mises stresses were significantly higher under lateral loading compared with vertical loading within the prosthesis and its supporting implants. Peak stresses was found to be concentrated at the interface between the prosthesis and the fixtures when subjected to vertical load and also at the internal line angles of the prosthesis when subjected to lateral load. The zygomatic bone exhibited much lower stress levels as compared to the alveolar bone especially under lateral load. The zygomatic bone overall showed less values of stress than the alveolar bone and the prosthesis-implant complex under both types of loading [67]. Further research and long-term studies needs to be carried out on these types of implants so that the rehabilitation of the atrophied or missing maxilla can be successfully carried out.
7. Microimplants and maxillofacial rehabilitation
Patients with craniofacial birth defects present with extreme skeletal deformities and often require a multi-pronged approach for achieving acceptable esthetic results. Vachiramon et. al. [69], have described a series of cases in which orthodontic microimplants were used to better the surgical outcome of such patients. Use of these microimplants for support helped in distraction osteogenesis procedures involving the mandible, maxilla, or midface. The microimplants were additionally used to stabilize the dentition for orthodontic tooth movement or for resisting change from long-term use of inter-arch elastics. They concluded that microimplants appear to have good potential in the approach to treat patients with craniofacial anomalies. They can also be useful to present an alternative treatment plan in patients who refuse orthognathic surgery. Microimplants may be of great utility for the rehabilitation of craniofacial patients with congenitally missing permanent teeth; malformed teeth or patients with ectodermal dysplasia with reduced dentition that makes reciprocal orthodontic anchorage difficult [69].
8. Future trends in maxillofacial rehabilitation
The use of Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in conjunction with Rapid Prototyping (RP) have revolutionized the methods of old-fashioned impressions using various types of dental materials and sculpting of the prosthesis by hand in wax or clay [Figure 30, 31]. Recently advances in 3D optical imaging using 3D whole field profilometer based on the projection of incoherent light and 3D laser eye-safe scanners have been utilized [70, 71]. The advantages of such a system are that they are non-invasive, have a higher speed of data acquisition, and the scanners are more rugged and portable than the CT or MRI scanners [70].
Figure 30.
3D virtual reconstruction and planning
Figure 31.
Rapid prototype modelling of maxillofacial prosthesis
Once the data has been acquired the virtual 3D models are obtained and the final prosthesis can be designed virtually. Two models one with the defect and another with the built up prosthesis are generated using epoxy photo-polymerising resins in a 3D printer [Figure 32, 33]. The final prosthesis is then fabricated from silicone rubber using these moulds [70 – 72].
Figure 32.
3D printer
Figure 33.
3D printed model of mandibular defect
In order to minimize the harmful effects of the metallic implants and their by-products, several newer materials are being tried. New alloys like tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and magnesium are receiving attention given their satisfying mechanical and biological properties. Non-oxide ceramics like silicon nitride and silicon carbide are being currently developed as a promising implant material possessing a combination of properties such as good wear and corrosion resistance, increased ductility, good fracture and creep resistance, and relatively high hardness in comparison to alumina. Polymer/magnesium composites are being developed to improve mechanical properties as well as retain polymer's property of degradation [73].
Nanotechnology and tissue engineering along with the concepts of stem cell technology are poised to dramatically define the next quantum leap in the field of maxillofacial reconstruction. Whether it is regeneration of new osseous tissue
9. Conclusion
The discovery of osseointegration has been arguably one of the most beneficial medical breakthroughs especially in the head and neck region. The number of successful implants being placed is increasing rapidly as better implants, more efficient investigative techniques and superior armamentarium is readily available. These implants have also revolutionized the scope and the efficacy of rehabilitation of the entire craniofacial region [76].
Despite the rise in cancers of the head and neck region there is also a deeper understanding of the changes at cellular level and better treatment options and targeted medication. It is hoped that with each passing day there will be continued dedicated research to fight and eradicate all these killer diseases. Until then the science of craniofacial implantology will ensure that the patients receive the most comprehensive rehabilitation that can be offered and ensure that their early return to form and function.
In future it is hoped that technological advances in allied fields such as radio-diagnosis and imaging, CAD-CAM manufacturing, tissue engineering, laser scanning, 3D-printing, development of newer nano-based materials and robotic placement of implants will work in tandem to ensure that larger numbers of patients can be treated early, economically and effectively [77-79]. Then alone will the dream of health for all be truly a reality.
Acknowledgments
I gratefully acknowledge all my respected teachers, enthusiastic students and tolerant patients who have taught me that I know so little and shown me that there is so much more learn.
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