Craniofacial Implants

About

The procedure used for craniofacial implants is similar to placing dental implants into the jawbone for artificial teeth. However, shorter facial implants are used to attach prosthetic devices, including:

• Eye sockets (eye reconstruction)
• Nose (nose reconstruction)
• Ears (ear 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 hold the device securely in place. This surgery usually takes a few hours.
• You will meet with a prosthetic specialist who will create a new body part that matches your facial features and complexion.
• The anchors need approximately three months to heal and fuse to the bone. After healing is complete, you return to have the prosthetic device attached.

Sometimes 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 quantity to hold an implant in place. In rare cases, the anchor will not properly fuse with the bone and an implant-supported prosthesis cannot be used.

Improved quality of life

Many people find implants improve their quality of life. The improved aesthetic appearance and stability of craniofacial implants help people feel better about themselves and more confident about participating in activities.