It has been said that, “the eyes are the window to the soul.”  The face not only reveals identity, but also communicates the intent of our words.  When a face is disfigured, both identity and communication are compromised. Alloplastic facial reconstruction enables the ability to restore much of this identity as well as lost communication.

AIRWAY REPLICATION: For many individuals facial loss is more than skin deep. Depending on the extent of loss, some patients may also require part of the pharynx replicated. An artificial pharynx, sinus cavity and entire sub-dermal prosthesis help restore the natural humidity of the area and improve both the voice resonance and the air control affecting speech articulation. In cases such as these, before the prosthesis is fitted, speech articulation resembles that of a person with a cleft palate because a substantial volume of air is forced out through the open wound after it passes through the larynx. The prosthesis and its sub-dermal prosthetic structures redirect the airflow to a normal pattern. A side benefit to the patient is the absence of prosthesis “blow-outs” (caused by coughing or sneezing) that occur in cosmetic prostheses designed without airways.

SINUS REPLICATION: Sinus pathways can also be sculpted so that secretions are drained, by gravity flow, to a cup-shaped collecting cavity. Research is being conducted to design an internal structure and an external appliance enabling the patient to empty and cleanse the collector without removing the prosthesis.

ARTIFICIAL BONE: After the sculpting of these sub-dermal prosthetic structures is completed, methylmethacrylate is extruded over the sculpted structures to capture them in a permanent, rigid form. This bone-like acrylic contributes to normal speech resonance, provides a bonding surface for the prosthetic skin and provides (as needed) the socket for the artificial eye. It also acts as a retentive, alloplastic device to maintain the integrity of the entire prosthesis.