Abstract
Facial prostheses are a treatment option for patients who have severe facial defects owing to cancer, trauma, or congenital disease. Since restrictions were recently placed on acquiring silicone materials for facial prostheses, a domestic silicone material is required. In this study, a novel silicone relining material was applied for facial prostheses and compared with those fabricated from the conventional silicone material.
Eleven subjects used the facial prostheses with two kinds of silicone material for six months alternately. Informed consent was obtained prior to the study. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire. After twelve months, the color differences and questionnaire answers were evaluated. The questionnaire included 16 questions which were classified into material, feeling, maintenance, esthetics, and overall evaluation.
Though slight color differences were found in both materials, the differences were not significant. In the subjective evaluation, the relining material was better as a material though there was no difference between both materials in terms of smell and humidity. No difference was found between both materials regarding maintenance. Overall, more subjects preferred to use facial prostheses made of the relining material. Though further observation is necessary, the relining material could be used for facial prostheses.
