Prosthetic rehabilitation of auricular defect: a clinical report

BACKGROUND

The absence of external ear may be due to congenital, traumatic, or surgical causes. Many case reports only describe impression techniques to record details of the defect side and the natural ear. The purpose of this case report is to explain in detail simple clinical and laboratory procedures involved in fabrication of ear prosthesis.

CASE DESCRIPTION AND METHODS

The use of three-part mold helps in the application of pigmented silicone in specific areas. The use of direct adhesive fixation provides the best esthetic result and if properly used the most satisfactory form of treatment.

FINDINGS AND OUTCOMES

The patient was satisfied with the life-like appearance of the prosthesis. The use of direct adhesive fixation gave the patient a sense of security and improved his confidence.

CONCLUSION

The technique described is economical, and additional steps of implant placement are avoided. The esthetics of the prosthesis made by hand carved clay pattern provides good details.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The technique describes the method of direct adhesive fixation of the prosthesis giving it a life-like appearance. The confidence of the patient is also restored.

Study of the effect of age changes on lip print pattern and its reliability in sex determination

Cheiloscopy, a forensic investigation technique, deals with the study of elevations and depressions which form a characteristic pattern on the external surface of the lips. The objective of the study was to determine the most common lip patterns in North Indian population, to evaluate whether sex determination is possible on the basis of lip prints and to ascertain if there is any co-relation between advancing age and its effect on lip pattern. A total of 600 subjects, 289 males and 311 females were selected and divided into three age groups (group 1: 1-20 years, group 2: 21-40 years, group 3: 40 years and above). Statistical analysis (applying Chi square test) showed very highly significant difference for different lip patterns (p < 0.0001) in males and females in group 2 and no significant difference in group 1 and group 3. The most predominant pattern in the entire study population was Type I (32.33%). Age changes like immaturity of lips in younger age and diminished anatomic details and tonicity in older age can have a considerable effect on the lip pattern, thereby making the correct identification of sex in these age groups debatable.