Description of the Surgical and Prosthetic Workflow of a Patient Rehabilitated with Implant-Retained Auricular Prosthesis

Abstract

Facial tissue loss is acquired as a result of congenital anomalies or acquisitional misshapen like tumoral lesions or accidents. These defects result in functional problems, esthetic concerns, and also psychosocial troubles and could be repaired by plastic surgery or reconstructed using facial prostheses. Conventional tissue-supported auricular prostheses meet lots of challenges due to dependence on tissue undercut or adhesive for retention. Implant-retained auricular prostheses lessen the complications related to adhesive-retained prostheses and alleviate the need for invasive plastic surgery. Implant-retained auricular prostheses provide patients with secure retention and avoid prosthesis disengagement caused by movable surrounding soft tissue. The impact of prostheses with secured retention and satisfactory esthetics on the self-confidence of patients with facial defects is promising. This paper aimed to describe the surgical and prosthetic workflow of a patient with acquired ear deformity due to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) which was rehabilitated with implant retained auricular prosthesis.