Craniofacial Implants

Overview

Mayo Clinic specialists use implant technology to replace disfigured or missing eyes, ears, or noses in patients who have suffered head injuries or have congenital deformities. Oral and plastic surgeons customize and place prosthetic devices according to the needs of each patient. The prostheses look, feel, and in some cases, function like the real thing.

The procedure used for craniofacial implants is similar to placing dental implants into the jawbone; however, instead of attaching artificial teeth, surgeons attach prosthetic devices anywhere on the skull, including into the eye socket (ocular reconstruction), the nose (nasal reconstruction, or rhinoplasty) and the ears (auricular reconstruction).

Several-step process

Craniofacial implants are done in a series of steps:

First, the surgeon places titanium anchors into the skull at the implant site. Depending on which type of prosthesis is used, a few or many anchors may be inserted to later hold the device securely in place. This surgery usually lasts several hours.

The anchors need approximately three months to heal and fuse to the bone. After healing is complete, the patient returns to have the prosthetic device attached.

In some cases, additional steps may be taken. For example, someone undergoing ear reconstruction may also work with an audiologist to receive a prosthetic ear with a hearing aid built into it. The result is a prosthesis that looks and functions like a real ear.

Although craniofacial implants are a great alternative to other, less stable devices, they may not work for everyone. The site receiving the implant must have sufficient bone quality and mass to hold an anchor in place. In rare cases, the anchor will not properly fuse with the bone and a prosthesis cannot be used.

Advantages of craniofacial implants

Some people become anxious about the possibility of a prosthetic device coming loose, causing them to avoid social activities. Implants give many people the confidence to participate in more activities, which, together with an improved aesthetic appearance, improves their quality of life.