Emotional aspects of new prostheses for previously treated maxillofacial patients

Therapeutic effects of maxillofacial prostheses

Thirty-nine patients with maxillofacial defects were restored by prostheses. A questionnaire was completed both before and after the prosthetic rehabilitation, measuring such psychological aspects as changes in self-image, optimism, and feelings of health. Thirty-three patients were found to respond favorably. Improvement was most pronounced where the facial defect had been caused by trauma (accidents). It was less conspicuous in patients with congenital malformations, whereas oncologic patients' average experimental change was minimal. It is concluded that cancer patients require more than a well-fitting prosthesis for successful rehabilitation.

Accetability of orbital prostheses

This study was made to determine if those patients apparently dissatisfied with an orbital prosthesis might accept an eye patch more readily. The study included 27 patients who were seen during the past 8 years. A total of 60 orbital and eye patch proshteses were prepared for the patients. Eighteen patients responded to the questionnaire. Twelve of these patients are presently wearing their prostheses, and five of them are not. Reasons given by the patients for not using their prostheses were discomfort, lack of retention, skin irritation due to daily application and removal of the adhesive, change in defect, ill-fitting prostheses, and surgical reconstruction of the site. The study shows that given a choice, 67% of the patients would prefer the orbital prosthesis. Seventy-five percent of the patients who had an eye patch would prefer an orbital prosthesis.