Implant-supported orbit prosthetic rehabilitation in patient with malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma

Resumen

Maxillofacial prosthesis can be described as «the specialty in dental science devoted to the aesthetic rehabilitation by artificial means of intra-and extra-oral structures».1 Orbit prostheses are artificial devices used to substitute the absence of the eye and annex structures (eyelids, lashes and eyebrows). They represent a rehabilitation alternative when surgical reconstruction is either unviable or not preferred by the patient. In our days, in the light of recent research advances, we can make use of bone-integrated implants. To this date they have proven to be the best fixation means in craniofacial prosthetic rehabilitation cases. The clinical case introduced in the present study is that of a male patient exhibiting postsurgical orbital-facial sequels after a carcinoma derived from the central nervous system (CNS) (malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma). Main treatment for this type of carcinoma is ocular globe and circumscribed affected areas exenteration. In this case, this procedure left an orbital-facial defect which was rehabilitated with a maxillofacial prosthesis, fixated to the supraorbital ridge by bone-integrated implants. The aim of the present study was to describe the comprehensive treatment administered to a patient exhibiting this kind of history, from the moment when the condition was diagnosed, its treatment, and the prosthetic rehabilitation of the resulting defect. This study shows the advantages obtained when using bone-integrated implants as a means for prosthesis retention. It is equally observed how this type of rehabilitation greatly improves the aesthetic appearance of patients afflicted with surgical facial sequels, thus achieving a more confident and self-assured reinsertion into society. In order to achieve successful treatment and offer mental and physical welfare to the patient we must work alongside a multi-disciplinary team, to comprehensively solve the case. We can then finally offer the real advantages of prosthetic rehabilitation with a retention means which has proved to be an additional advantage for patients wearing orbital prostheses. Implant use has borne a great impact in these patients, fostering favorable reinsertion into society, since facial defects are dissimulated and patients can