Today, with the new silicone materials and the advanced skills of prosthetic specialists, it is possible to make a facial prosthesis so lifelike that it is difficult to tell it apart from the rest of the face – even from close-up! The prosthetist makes the prosthesis to closely match your individual skin colour and texture.
As well as looking good, the prosthesis must also stay in place so you can carry on with your normal day-to-day activities. In the past, options for retaining a facial prosthesis were to use a glue or adhesive, but several problems are associated with these methods.
The implant retained solution solves these problems providing a permanent and stable means of attaching a facial prosthetic thus allowing active living.
Once the area of surgery has settled down, usually 3-4 weeks after surgery (or approximately 3 months after one stage surgery), the choice of final abutment length will be made. Now an exact copy, a so called “impression”, of this area can be made. This provides the prosthetist with a model so that work can begin on making the prosthesis.
A bar is made to fit exactly between the abutments and a plastic plate, with clips or magnets, is designed and snapped into place. When this is complete the next step is to sculpt the prosthesis in wax. You will go for a series of fittings with the prosthetist to check that the shape and size correspond appropriately and that the tone and texture also match.
You will be able to wear your prosthesis after the final fitting. This will usually be approximately 4-6 months after surgery.
