As a result of cancer treatment or trauma (even after reconstructive
surgery), you might have missing teeth, or other gaps in tissue.
These can be replaced by a wide variety of custom-made prostheses.
In general, prostheses are 'spare parts'.
After mouth or face cancer or surgery for trauma, prostheses
might be required, which include facial parts (such as an eye,
ear, nose, and/or parts of the cheek or neck), adapted dentures
or fixed crowns/bridges that replace teeth, bony parts of the
jaw or soft tissues.
The design and construction of prostheses is both an art and
science and they can give a very acceptable 'cosmetic' and functional
result.
If you might need a prosthesis after surgery, this will be explained
to you by your oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who will arrange
for you to be seen by a maxillofacial technician and/or a restorative/prosthetic
dental surgeon.
Often the facial skeleton, teeth or dentures are used to hold
a prosthesis in place.
Some people have part of their palate missing because of a defect
they were born with or perhaps because of surgery for mouth cancer
or trauma.
This gap can interfere with speaking, swallowing, chewing etc
but can be filled with a prosthesis called an obturator, which
just means something that blocks a hole.
These are usually held in place by the remaining teeth, implanted
supports or as an extension to a denture.
