An Insight into Advancements in Maxillofacial Materials: A Review of Current Trends

Abstract

Physical attractiveness is regarded as an important ingredient to success in this modern competitive society. Attractive individuals are said to be more successful at school, job interviews as they would possess a self confidence in them.

With the social premium effect placed on physical attractiveness, unattractive facial features can affect on individual’s job, personal life and social interactions.

Thus, patients suffering from severely disfigured facial structures which can be due to various etiological factors such as acid attacks, chemical burn, fire attacks undergo severe emotional trauma leading them to depression and also to an extent of committing suicide.

Today, with recent advances in maxillofacial dentistry there is increased demand for the prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with facial defects. Increasing awareness of cancer resulting in early diagnosis and treatment employing many new surgical techniques, which are extensive and thus leave large defects that compromise function, aesthetics but also the psychological status of patient. These problems require prompt rehabilitation with surgery or prosthesis.

Prosthesis will offer the advantage of medically uncomplicated rehabilitation of defects and also, they can be readily removed to allow evaluation of the health of underlying tissues.