FAQ – for physicians

Outcomes
– Patients can expect effective camouflage in normal social situations and public settings, especially at a distance of three feet or more.
– Lifelike appearance is achieved through careful anatomical and skin tone color matching, as well as detailed biological replication.
– Prostheses are created using medical-grade, biosafe silicone polymers and a ‘tradigital’ approach—combining traditional artistry with advanced 3D technology.

Durability
– With proper care (daily cleaning, avoiding harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures), silicone prostheses typically last 18 months to 2.5 years.
– Longevity depends on patient habits and their home environment.

Patient Compliance
– Patients receive education before, during, and after treatment on best care practices.
– Compliance with care instructions is essential for maximizing both appearance and lifespan.

Functional Considerations
– Designed for comfort and daily wear.
– Patients are instructed on hygiene and, when relevant, functional use (e.g., cleaning around the prosthesis, wearing schedule).

Questions about a specific case? Contact us to discuss patient-specific expectations.

Ideal Collaboration Timeline
– Pre-surgical consultation: Involve us before any surgical intervention, especially for titanium implant retention or when considering prosthetic solutions.
– Pre-operative impressions: For cancer and congenital cases, obtaining an impression before surgery supports optimal outcomes.
– Trauma cases: We adapt our approach post-emergency intervention, once the patient is stable.
– Congenital conditions: We have extensive experience with Hemifacial Microsomia,

Treacher Collins Syndrome, amniotic banding, and similar diagnoses.
– Oculoplastic follow-up: We routinely provide lifelike ocular prostheses after surgical procedures.

Communication
– We coordinate closely with referring providers throughout the process.
– Updates and care plans are tailored to each patient’s needs.

To discuss a specific patient or set up an initial consult, please reach out directly.

Complex/Revisional Cases
We specialize in helping patients with complicated surgical histories, including:
  – Implant failure
  – Hair-bearing graft complications
  – Cartilage resorption (e.g., auricular reconstruction)
  – Surgeries performed without pre-surgical planning

Our Approach
– While we cannot guarantee success in every case, many patients who have undergone years of unsuccessful surgeries have found satisfaction and improved quality of life with prosthetic rehabilitation.
– Prostheses offer a non-invasive alternative for those seeking improved appearance and function.

Next Steps
Our process begins with a thorough assessment. Please provide:
  – Surgical history
  – Relevant imaging (if available)
  – Summary of prior outcomes

Contact us to review your patient’s case and discuss possible solutions.

Cancer-Related
– Skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma) involving the face, ear, nose, or orbit
– Head and neck cancers requiring surgical removal of facial structures (e.g., maxillectomy, mandibulectomy, rhinectomy, orbital exenteration)

Congenital Conditions
– Microtia (underdeveloped or absent external ear)
– Hemifacial Microsomia
– Treacher Collins Syndrome
– Cleft lip and palate with significant facial deformity
– Amniotic Band Syndrome
– Other craniofacial syndromes

Trauma
– Motor vehicle accidents causing facial or body part loss
– Work-related or industrial accidents
– Sports injuries
– Animal bites (e.g., dog bites to the face or ear)
– Burns (thermal, chemical, or electrical)

Infections and Disease
– Necrotizing infections (e.g., necrotizing fasciitis)
– Severe osteomyelitis (bone infection)
– Aggressive fungal infections (e.g., mucormycosis)

Surgical Complications or Failed Reconstructions
– Failed reconstructive surgeries (e.g., implant failure, graft or flap loss)
– Multiple unsuccessful surgical attempts to restore form or function

Other Causes
– Acquired eye loss (enucleation or evisceration due to trauma, tumor, or infection)
– Loss of digits, hands, or other body parts due to any of the above causes

Common Prosthetic Solutions Provided:
– Ear (auricular) prostheses
– Nasal prostheses
– Orbital (eye and peri-orbital) prostheses
– Ocular (artificial eye) prostheses
– Midfacial or combination prostheses
– Partial hand, finger, or other body part prostheses

If you have a patient with a complex history or unique presentation, please contact us to discuss individualized options or to arrange a consultation.

Congenital Conditions:
– Microtia (underdeveloped or absent ear)
– Hemifacial Microsomia
– Treacher Collins Syndrome
– Amniotic Band Syndrome
– Other craniofacial syndromes

Cancer-Related:
– Squamous cell carcinoma
– Rhabdomyosarcoma
– Basal cell carcinoma
– Melanoma
– Head and neck cancers requiring surgical removal of facial structures

Trauma
– Motor vehicle accidents
– Animal attacks
– Burns (automobile accidents, house fires)
– Assault (including trauma from violence or genocide)
– Home maintenance or repair accidents
– Workplace injuries
– Loss of limbs or digits due to sepsis
– Other complex traumatic injuries

Surgical Procedures Experienced in Prosthetic Rehabilitation
– Auriculectomy and partial auriculectomy (ear removal)
– Rhinectomy and partial rhinectomy (nose removal)
– Enucleation (removal of the eye)
– Orbital exenteration (removal of the eye and surrounding structures)
– Ocular (artificial eye) prosthesis fitting
– Hemifacial and maxillectomy procedures
– Zygomatic osteotomy (cheekbone surgery)
– Orbital floor blowout repair
– Skull fracture repair requiring implant placement
– Tracheostomy-related prosthetic needs
– Many other reconstructive and ablative procedures

Operating Room Experience
Michael Degnan, MSc, our chief anaplastologist, has hands-on operating room experience supporting surgical teams in multiple regions across the USA and internationally. This experience ensures a thorough understanding of surgical workflows, patient needs, and interdisciplinary collaboration for optimal prosthetic outcomes.

We provide a wide range of custom, patient-specific prosthetic solutions, including:
– Facial Prostheses: Ear (auricular), nose (nasal), orbital, and midfacial prostheses
– Ocular Prostheses: Custom artificial eyes
– Body Prostheses: Partial hand, finger, and other body part prostheses (as clinically appropriate)
– Specialty Prostheses: For congenital, cancer, trauma, and revision cases
– Prostheses for pediatric and adult patients

All prostheses are created using medical-grade silicone and advanced 3D scanning/printing for precise fit and lifelike appearance

We have experience with a variety of craniofacial and osseointegrated implant systems, including:
– Cochlear/BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) implants
– Titanium craniofacial implants (e.g., Vistafix, Straumann, Southern Implants, and others)
– Magnetic and bar/clip retention systems for auricular, nasal, and orbital prostheses
– Custom abutment and retention designs as required for complex cases

We work closely with surgical teams to select and optimize implant systems for each patient’s needs.

Pre-surgical Planning:
– Early involvement allows for anatomical impressions, digital scans, and planning of implant placement for optimal prosthetic retention and aesthetics.
– Collaboration ensures surgical incisions, reconstruction, and implant positions support prosthetic outcomes.
– Pre-surgical consultation is especially valuable for cancer and congenital cases.

Post-surgical Care:
– We coordinate with the surgical team for wound healing monitoring, implant exposure, and timely prosthetic fitting.
– Patient education on hygiene and care begins before prosthesis delivery and continues throughout follow-up

Pre-op collaboration:
We review imaging, surgical plans, and patient anatomy with the surgical team.
– Anatomical impressions/scans: Taken before or after surgery (as appropriate) to guide implant placement and prosthesis design.
– Clear communication: We provide guidelines on incision location, tissue management, and implant positioning to maximize retention and esthetics.
– Intraoperative support: Available for complex cases to assist with real-time decision-making.

– Initial healing: Allow 3-6 months for soft tissue healing and (if placed) osseointegration of implants. Must be fully healed and swelling gone for an accurate profile.
– Impression/scanning: Typically performed once the surgical site is stable and free from infection or excessive scarring.
– Prosthesis fabrication/fitting: Begins after healing, with most patients receiving their prosthesis within 2–4 weeks of impression.
– Follow-up: Regular follow-up visits to monitor fit, function, and patient adaptation; adjustments as needed.

Every case is unique—please contact us for patient-specific recommendations or to coordinate a treatment timeline.