Maxillo-facial Prosthetics

Our mission is to offer our patients specialized care that meets their dental and oral healthcare needs. Our staff is uniquely trained to provide excellent care for those with complex cases that require the expertise of dental professionals.

WHAT IS MAXILLOFACIAL PROSTHETICS?

Maxillofacial prosthetics is a specialty of dentistry that provides rehabilitation to those who have been affected by trauma or cancer in their head or neck region. A form of dental reconstruction, maxillofacial prosthetics is done after treatment for illness, trauma, or birth defects. We use prostheses to replace missing areas of their natural anatomy, such as bone or tissue, and to restore oral functions or shield facial structures during radiation therapy.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We work closely with head & neck surgeons, oral surgeons, general dentists, plastic surgeons, neurologists, radiation oncologists, speech pathologists and other specialists to ensure comprehensive care and improve the quality of life of patients who need maxillofacial care. Our doctors have advanced training in maxillofacial prosthodontics after having completed a 3-year residency in post-graduate prosthodontics and 4 years of dental school training.

PATIENTS THAT REQUIRE PROSTHETIC CARE

Many of our patients require maxillofacial prosthetics because they have:

Been in an accident.
Had surgical removal of tumors.
Suffered from a neuromuscular disorder such as ALS.
Suffered from a stroke.
Been born without full development of ears, teeth, or palate.
To undergo radiation therapy.

Our prosthetic prostheses include eyes, nose, ears, obturator and resection prostheses. See below for details on each.

Extraoral Prostheses

Orbital prosthesis—replaces eye
Auricular prosthesis —replaces ear
Nasal prosthesis—replaces nose
Facial prosthesis—replaces part of the face and may involve more than one structure

INTRAORAL PROSTHESES

Maxillary obturator prosthesis—recreates the palate after partial or total loss of upper jaw.
Speech aid appliance—helps the hard and soft palate assume correct position for speech.
Mandibular resection appliance—replaces a portion of the lower jaw that has been lost. It also restores the gums and teeth.
Radiation stent—worn during radiation therapy for protection of normal tissue.

Michigan Prosthetic Dentistry

Restorative Dentistry

Dental Implants Replacing Missing Teeth Overview of Implant Placement Missing All Upper or Lower Teeth Bone Grafting for Implants Implant Supported Overdenture Teeth-in-an-Hour After Implant Placement Cost of Dental Implants Dental Crowns Tooth Colored Fillings Full Mouth Reconstruction Dental Bridges Dental Sealants Dentures Immediate Dentures Implant Retained Dentures Partial Dentures Denture Care Exams & Maintenance Denture Relines Rebase & Repairs Soft Liners Pre-Prosthetic Surgery Tooth Extractions Bruxism Treatment Cleft Lip and Palate Maxillo-facial Prosthetics

Dental Implants

Feel and function like natural teeth

A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic parts. Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food). Both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The difference is that the implant is made of titanium – the same time-tested material used by surgeons for artificial joints. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown.