Evaluating cosmetic results in maxillofacial prosthetics

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Prosthodontics
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Maxillofacial prosthetic restorations aim to improve patient well-being and appearance.
• Objective and subjective assessments are crucial for evaluating prosthetic success.
• Patient-reported outcomes and clinician evaluations can differ.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of maxillofacial prosthetic restorations.
• To compare subjective patient well-being with objective observer evaluations.
• To identify factors influencing the success of maxillofacial prosthetics.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-two patients with maxillofacial prosthetics completed well-being questionnaires.
• Three independent observers provided objective evaluations of patient improvement.
• Analysis considered patient demographics, etiology of defect, and evaluator type.

Main Results:

• Overall subjective well-being scores averaged 38.6%, with objective improvement at 35.1%.
• Men and younger patients reported higher subjective improvements, while older patients showed better objective outcomes.
• Objective evaluations were significantly higher for traumatic injury cases compared to cancer patients.

Conclusions:

• Maxillofacial prosthetics yield moderate improvements, with variations based on patient factors and defect etiology.
• Cancer patients may experience persistent psychologic distress impacting perceived outcomes.
• Prosthodontists should be mindful of their critical self-assessment and acknowledge the positive public perception of their work.