Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Maxillofacial Defect: The Lagos University Teaching Hospital Experience

Abstract

Background: The use of Maxillofacial prosthesis is a long accepted method of treatment in the rehabilitation of maxillofacial defects. These defects could either be acquired or congenital and these defects result in impairments of speech, mastication, and facial aesthetics. The impact of these can be significant on patient quality of life and self esteem. Restoring impairments and improving quality of life therefore depends on rehabilitation of the defect.
Objective: This study aimed at reporting our experience on the prosthetic reconstruction of maxillofacial defects.
Methods: This study was a review of all consecutive cases of alloplastic (prosthesis) reconstruction of maxillofacial defects conducted in the Department of Restorative Dentistry (Prosthetic Unit) and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Data collected included age and sex of patients, aetiology of defects, site of defects (left or right), lost tissue (partial or total), material used for the fabrication, and mode of retention of the prosthesis. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out.
Results: A total of 180 cases were found and all were used without exclusion. The mean age was 34.0 ± 15.6 years. The commonest site of defect was the maxillae (81.7%). There was slight predominance of male (50.6%) than the female (49.4%). Post surgical defect (90.6%) accounted for majority of the defects that were restored. The commonest maxillofacial defect occurred in the maxilla with most defects being partial tissue loss. Most total tissue loss was replaced by definitive obturators. Majority of the prosthesis were fabricated in acrylic resin and the mode of retention for the obturators and mandibular prosthesis were in form of mechanical retention.
Conclusion: Prosthetic option of treatment is important in the rehabilitation of maxillofacial defect. Post surgical defect was the predominant cause of maxillofacial defect and acrylic resin was the principal material used for reconstruction.

Keywords: maxillofacial, Prosthesis, Defects, Rehabilitation.