Current state of craniofacial prosthetic rehabilitation.

Purpose: This study aimed to review the current state of the techniques and materials used to rehabilitate maxillofacial defects.

Materials And Methods: The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for articles pertinent to maxillofacial prostheses published from January 1990 to July 2011. The main clinical stages were the subject of analysis.

Microbial biofilms on facial prostheses.

The composition of microbial biofilms on silicone rubber facial prostheses was investigated and compared with the microbial flora on healthy and prosthesis-covered skin. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of mixed bacterial and yeast biofilms on and deterioration of the surface of the prostheses. Microbial culturing confirmed the presence of yeasts and bacteria.

Orthodontic space closure versus prosthetic replacement of missing upper lateral incisors in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate.

Objective: To compare dental aesthetics and function of orthodontic space closure versus prosthetic replacement of upper lateral incisors in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate. The predominant mode of prosthetic replacement was resin-bonded bridges.

Patients And Methods: The retrospective study group consisted of 17 patients treated with orthodontic space closure (13 men, four women; median age, 27.

Analysis of translucency of skin by volume reflection for color formulation of facial prostheses.

Purpose: A facial prosthesis demands a good visual match with the adjacent skin. Skin color and translucency must be mimicked by the prosthesis. Translucency can be defined as allowing the passage of light, yet diffusing it so as not to render the bodies beyond clearly visible, therefore being semi-transparent.

Fate of implant-retained craniofacial prostheses: life span and aftercare.

Purpose: To assess the need for surgical and prosthetic aftercare of craniofacial prostheses supported by endosseous implants.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective clinical study assessing the surgical and prosthetic aftercare from implant placement to last visit of follow-up was performed in consecutively treated patients with implant-retained craniofacial prostheses in a department of oral and maxillofacial surgery between 1988 and 2003.

Results: Ninety-five patients were rehabilitated with implant-retained craniofacial prostheses.

Effect of an intraoral retrusion plate on maxillary arch dimensions in complete bilateral cleft lip and palate patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze maxillary arch dimensions in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate treated with an intraoral retrusion plate prior to lip closure.

Patients: The effects of the intraoral retrusion plate were evaluated on serially obtained maxillary casts of 14 patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate.

Results: The Student's t test for dependent observations showed a significant decrease in distance between the premaxilla and the cleft lateral segments during active treatment.