[Masticatory system and maxillofacial prosthesis: From pathology to function recovering]

Maxillofacial prosthesis (MFP) can be defined as the art and science of esthetic and functional reconstruction of the facial bones, art because it uses hand-crafted and empirical rules, science because of its technical rigorism and its integration in medicine. MFP aims to multidisciplinary rehabilitate patients presenting with cutaneous and underlying structures defects, It also allows for functional speech and swallowing rehabilitation related to temporo-mandibular joint disorders. Whatever the origin, (traumatic, infectious ortumoral), surgical treatment of these TMJ disorders is usually not indicated in first-line. Functional treatment is often sufficient if started early in an observant patient. The aim of our article was to present the different types devices available for the rehabilitation of the masticatory system according to pathology. The first part will treat about the preservation of the TMJ range of motion in a preventive way. A second part will treat about the possibilities to recover the range of motion in a curative way. A third part will treat about mandibular reposition. At last, we will focus on the devices allowing for mandibular kinetic rehabilitation in adults and in a special pediatric case.