Prosthetic rehabilitation of unilateral congenital microtia with implant-retained auricular prosthesis - a case report

Abstract

Microtia is a term applied to congenital anomalies of the auricle, ranging from mild structural abnormalities to complete absence of the external ear and auditory canal. Microtia may occur as an isolated condition or in association with other malformations such as facial clefts, cardiac defects, renal abnormalities, anophthalmia, and limb reduction defects. Surgical reconstruction of the absent auricle is difficult, and the results are often unsatisfactory. Prosthetic rehabilitation is indicated where surgical procedures may not provide predictable aesthetic results. In recent years, significant developments in digital dentistry have seen the widespread application of CAD/CAM fabrication techniques in the production of intraoral implant restorations. The use of digital technologies, however, has not permeated the field of maxillofacial prosthetics to the same extent. This report documents the use of existing dental CAD/CAM technology in the fabrication of an extraoral prosthesis and demonstrates the benefits of employing digital technology in the field of maxillofacial prosthetics.