Patel, Vilas: Retention In Maxillofacial Prosthesis

A variety of techniques and equipments are available to retain a maxillofacial prosthesis. To choose the right retentive aid, the prosthodontist needs to be familiar with all available options. Many a times the patient is unable to chose a prosthesis design and its retentive aids due to his ignorance about the field and his mental state after a passing through a traumatic phase an ablative surgery or accident. In such a situation the prosthodontist carries the responsibility to plan the prosthetic rehabilitation that suits the patient in the long run. Being a part of the total team to treat a patient with maxillofacial defect, the prosthodontist offers valuable input on surgical treatment planning, advising the surgeon on the useful tissue contours that will be most retentive or receptive for a prosthetic device or the tissue that will compromise the prognosis of the prosthesis.