Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Cancers Involving the Face

Cancers that involve the facial structures such as the eye, ear, and nose, may require removal of a portion or all of the involved structures. In such cases, a removable prosthesis can be made to restore the appearance of these structures. After evaluation by a head and neck surgeon, the patient is referred to a dental oncologist for examination prior to surgery. Photographs and facial impressions may be made prior to surgery to document existing facial contours. An explanation of the procedures and the time required to make the prosthesis is discussed with each patient before surgery. Pictures of patients with similar diseases before and after surgery are available to view and discuss.


After an appropriate period allowing for healing, the patient is scheduled for initiation of the prosthesis fabrication process. This takes approximately five to seven visits, and in some cases, these appointments can last several hours. Special types of skin adhesives retain most prostheses. Implants similar to dental implants can be used to retain the prosthesis in some cases. These prostheses are made of silicone and require removal and cleaning every week. The average lifetime of a facial prosthesis is approximately two years.

Some prostheses can be remade in the laboratory and sent to the patient in the mail while others will require the patient to make an appointment with the dentist for evaluation before a new prosthesis can be made. In some instances surgically removed tissues can be reconstructed with compatible tissues from other parts of the body. In this case, a prosthesis may or may not be indicated or needed. When indicated, the reconstructed tissue may need surgical revision before a prosthesis is constructed. Treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy can delay the fabrication of a facial prosthesis. These delays are necessary to allow proper healing of the tissues that will support and retain the prosthesis.