The Use of Silicon Elastomer in Maxillofacial Rehabilitation as a Substitute for or in Conjunction With Resins

Abstract

Maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation aims to restore anatomic function when serious tissue defects are present, as a result of congenital factors, trauma, or surgery. The aims are both aesthetic and functional, and results are obtained using devices that contain, reconstruct, and fill. This study introduces a technique using methods and materials that are acceptable to the patient in that they satisfy chewing, phonetic, and aesthetic functions, while respecting bone structure and restoring function to the soft tissues without causing trauma to them. Our techniques do not use innovative materials, but ones that are structurally different and that, until now, have not been connected with attachment systems. Acrylic resin, acetylic resin, and silicon are used, each in such a way as to take maximum advantage of each material's characteristics and thus give the best results.

Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Orofacial Donor Site Fistula Following Surgical Reconstruction: A Clinical Report

“…Despite improvements in reconstructive and plastic surgery, replacement of the more intricate facial structures still requires the use of manmade materials as external prostheses 8 . Maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation aims to restore anatomic function when serious tissue defects are present, as a result of congenital factors, trauma, or surgery 9 . Five major materials available commercially are poly(methyl methacrylate), latexes, vinyl polymers and copolymers, polyurethane elastomers, and silicone elastomers.…”

“…8 Maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation aims to restore anatomic function when serious tissue defects are present, as a result of congenital factors, trauma, or surgery. 9 Five major materials available commercially are poly(methyl methacrylate), latexes, vinyl polymers and copolymers, polyurethane elastomers, and silicone elastomers. None is considered an ideal material.…”

Restoration of Facial Form and Lip Competence in a Patient with a Midfacial Defect

“…A variety of materials commonly used are: acrylic resins, copolymers, vinyl polymers, polyurethane elastomers, and silicone elastomers. Silicones are the most commonly used materials and can be used in combination with acrylic …”

Intercurrent Infectious Diseases in Post–Stem Cell Transplant Patients

“…The choice of material used to make the obturator was dictated by the need for a prosthesis that was light, comfortable, easy to clean, and, above all, would provide an adequate seal for the orosinus communication, both for liquids and for solids. Following the protocol developed by the authors, 20 an acrylic resin (dimethylmetacrylate glycol) was used as a structural base for the prosthesis to provide strength and long-term stability 21 and a layer of silicone for the obturator to facilitate dynamic adaptation to the soft tissues and to aid in the healing process by providing proprioceptive stimuli. Silicons are synthetic elastomers that are used thanks to their high elasticity, which is due to their chemical structure; they polymerize by condensation or by addition (polyvinyl siloxanes and polyurethanes), and their advantages are their lightness, elasticity, and resistance to traction; they present low physical stability, which is compensated by the use of resin.…”