MAXILLOFACIAL PROSTHETICS PART - II: MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY. A REVIEW OF PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE TRENDS

An ideal maxillofacial prosthetic material must have excellent tissue receptivity.Fabrication of maxillofacial prostheses presents various problems, such as obtaining impressions, mold construction, coloration and characterization to resemble human skin, also, the range of mechanical properties and degree of permanence desired in materials poses a challenge. Prosthetic materials should be translucent, color stable with a tendency to stain, easy to clean and be flexible conjunct to the skin which it adheres to. In addition, it must be able to adhere securely and comfortably and exhibit a fine line marginal contact.In this article the authors have tried to explain in detail about all maxillofacial prosthetic materials that have been used and are being used, with a note on the most recent 3D printing technology being researched currently for facial prostheses.