Intra- and extraoral prostheses using osseointegrated implants after maxillofacial surgery

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Maxillary and orbital defects present significant reconstructive challenges following tumor resection.
• Traditional prostheses often lack adequate stability and patient comfort.
• Osseointegrated implants offer a potential solution for anchoring maxillofacial prostheses.

Observation:

• Six patients with maxillary and orbital defects underwent treatment using pure titanium osseointegrated implants (Brãnemark system).
• A total of 17 fixtures were placed in the maxillary region, with 16 achieving successful osseointegration.
• Nine fixtures were placed in the orbital region, all achieving excellent integration.

Findings:

• Maxillary prostheses (n=4) and orbital prostheses (n=3) were successfully fabricated and fitted using the integrated implants as anchors.
• Implant-supported prostheses demonstrated markedly improved stability compared to conventional methods.
• Patients reported high levels of satisfaction with the functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Implications:

• Pure titanium osseointegrated implants provide a robust and predictable foundation for maxillofacial prostheses in complex defect reconstructions.
• This approach enhances prosthetic stability, leading to improved patient quality of life.
• The Brãnemark system demonstrates efficacy in managing post-tumor resection defects of the maxilla and orbit.