THE ROLE OF DIGITAL TREATMENT PLANNING IN MAXILLOFACIAL PROSTHETICS
Advances in treatment planning have changed patients’ expectations of the functional and aesthetic outcomes of maxillofacial prosthetic treatments. This case report describes and discusses the role of digital technology in the treatment planning of a facial prosthesis for a patient with complex maxillofacial prosthetic needs. A 75-year-old man was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the left maxillary sinus. The tumor was surgically resected and resulted in extensive tissue loss. The four key elements of visualization, design, manufacture, and evaluation were considered in digital treatment planning of the facial prosthesis; the first two are discussed in this report. The defect areas were three-dimensionally digitized using computed tomography and stereophotogrammetry. The scanned data were saved as a standard tessellation language file. From these data, virtual three-dimensional models were created for treatment planning options. With the aid of computer-aided design software, two types of facial prostheses were designed: an open-eye
prosthesis and a closed-eye prosthesis. These designs were discussed with the patient to determine the one most suitable to meet his aesthetic expectations. Patients’ expectations of treatment options can be improved through the virtual visualization and design offered by digital treatment planning. This case report confirms the applicability of digital treatment planning in managing patients with complex maxillofacial prosthetic needs.
