Maxillofacial Prosthodontics
Our Collaborative Approach
Maxillofacial rehabilitation involves not only the rehabilitation of the affected anatomy but also the patient’s self-image and day-to-day function. As maxillofacial prosthodontists, Drs. Singer, Driscoll, and Bolding lead the coordination of care with a diverse team of medical professionals to ensure comprehensive support. This integrated model enables us to shield facial structures, restore oral functions, and optimize both function and aesthetics for our patients, often for both cosmetic and psychosocial reasons.
Types of Prosthetic Solutions We Offer
Our team provides a broad range of prosthetic devices designed to rehabilitate defects and restore function in patients affected by head, neck, and oral conditions. Each solution is custom-designed to meet the unique clinical and aesthetic needs of the individual.
Facial and Maxillofacial Prosthetics
Head and neck prosthetics are designed for patients who have lost facial structures due to trauma, cancer, or congenital defects. These prostheses are often essential for cosmetic and psychosocial reasons, particularly in neck cancer patients who have undergone aggressive surgical interventions.
Obturators
An obturator is a specialized prosthesis that seals defects of the upper jaw or soft palate, such as those resulting from a cleft palate or surgical removal of tumors. These prosthetic devices help restore the ability to speak and eat properly by separating the oral and nasal cavities, improving airflow.
Palatal Obturator Prostheses
Palatal obturators are prosthetic devices that completely seal an opening, such as an oronasal fistula or hole in the roof of the mouth that leads to the nasal cavity. It is a plastic and acrylic removable ‘roof of the mouth,’ which aids the patient with their speech, eating, or swallowing and provides proper airflow.
Speech Prostheses
For patients who experience difficulty speaking due to loss of palatal tissue or tongue function, we offer speech prostheses, including speech palatal augmentation and palatal lift prosthesis options. These devices are often developed in collaboration with speech pathologists to aid in articulation.
Implant Prostheses
Implant prostheses are anchored to dental implants and provide stable, functional replacements for missing teeth and supporting bone structures. These are ideal for patients requiring long-term prosthetic care following surgery or trauma that affects the oral cavity.
Tongue Prostheses
Loss of tongue tissue can result from cancer surgery or trauma. A tongue prosthesis is designed to restore partial functionality in speech and swallowing by mimicking the natural contours and movement of the tongue.
Palatal Lift Prostheses
A palatal lift prosthesis is used to elevate a weakened or paralyzed soft palate, improving speech and reducing nasal airflow during communication. These devices are particularly effective for patients with neuromuscular conditions or post-surgical complications that affect the soft palate.
Ear/Nasal Prostheses
We create high-quality ear and nasal prosthesis options to replace missing external ears or nasal structures. These are typically needed after tumor removal, trauma, or congenital absence. Custom-designed and color-matched, these facial prosthetics are essential for maintaining facial symmetry.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation by our team, who will carefully review your medical history, current condition, and treatment goals. From this initial assessment, we work closely with your general and specialty dentists to develop a personalized maxillofacial prosthetic treatment plan.
The process typically involves diagnostic imaging and detailed facial impressions, followed by collaborative planning to ensure both surgical and prosthetic needs are addressed. Next, we move into the custom fabrication of your prosthetic devices, ensuring they are designed for optimal fit, function, and appearance.
Once created, any incompatible or diseased tissue is removed, and our prosthesis is fitted and adjusted as needed for comfort and effectiveness. We also provide long-term follow-up care to monitor your progress and make any necessary refinements. Throughout each phase, our primary goal is to restore essential oral functions, enhance your appearance, and help you regain your confidence and quality of life.
Maxillofacial Prosthodontics is a highly specialized field of dentistry that focuses on the restoration and rehabilitation of patients with facial defects or disabilities. At Dental & TMJ Specialists of Greater DC, our board-certified maxillofacial prosthodontists deliver advanced, compassionate care to help patients regain essential functions and confidence after life-altering diagnoses or procedures.
What Is Maxillofacial Prosthodontics?
The Maxillofacial Prosthodontist is the primary person involved in many facets of patient care and is, therefore, the individual who is in the best position to coordinate the efforts required in this complex rehabilitative process. Members of the team include oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, radiation oncologists, oncologists, head and neck surgeons, neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, periodontists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, social workers, speech therapists, and occupational therapists, among others.
Conditions We Treat
We provide maxillofacial prosthetic treatment for a range of conditions that impact both aesthetics and function. Patients who typically desire prosthetic care include those affected by:
- Head and neck cancer
- Radiation therapy side effects
- Traumatic injury to facial structures
- Cleft palate and other congenital defects
- Surgical treatment requiring mandibular resection, prosthesis, or neck prosthetics
- Loss of an eye, nose, or ear requiring ocular prosthesis, eye orbital prosthesis, nose midfacial prosthesis, or auricular prosthesis
These challenges can affect the upper jaw, soft palate, and surrounding anatomy, interfering with speech, chewing, swallowing, and facial appearance.
Providing You State-Of-The-Art
Dental & TMJ Treatment
Schedule Your Appointment for Maxillofacial Prosthodontics
Take the next step towards restoring comfort, function, and confidence with our specialized Maxillofacial Prosthodontics services at Greater DC Specialists. Call us or schedule online to get started.
Award-Winning Care
Dr. Kaplan has recently been awarded by the American College of Prosthodontists recognizing extraordinary collegiality, outreach, and community service.
