Designing a Nasal Prosthesis using CAD-RP Technology

Abstract

ABSTRACT A 37-year-old female patient reported to the hospital with a nasal defect due to carcinoma. She was previously restored with nasal prostheses, but was not satisfied with its cosmetic appeal. A computerized tomographic (CT) scan of the defect area was made and converted into 3- dimensional (3D) digital data using dedicated medical imaging software. From the 3D image, measurements of the defect were calculated and compared with various nasal fossa measurements available in the digital database. A 3D nose model which had measurements that closely matched the defect area was extracted and superimposed on the defect area and margins adjusted. The data files were then sent for rapid prototyping (RP). A RP model was fabricated which was duplicated in wax and processed. The final result was a nasal prosthesis that conformed well to the patients’ face and was also esthetically acceptable. The main advantage of computer-aided designing (CAD)-RP is that it allows trying various nasal forms on the patients face within few hours. This saves chair time, eliminates the impression step and provides patient and dentist an option of variety. How to cite this article Vanitha R, Ramkumar K, Rajtilak G, Rajasekar V. Designing a Nasal Prosthesis using CAD-RP Technology. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2012;2(3):108-112.