抄録
If the “fusion” of maxillofacial prosthetic treatment and surgery for jaw defects can be routinely performed to restore function, one of the goals of the Japanese Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics will have been achieved. What is this “fusion”？ Let us try to define this goal based on the history of multidisciplinary cooperation.
The number of medical institutions working closely together in various forms of surgical and prosthetic treatment is increasing, thanks to the existence of the Japanese Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, as well as insurance coverage for immediate surgical obturators （ISO） and bone anchored devices for wide edentulous areas. However, there are still issues that need to be resolved for “collaboration” and “medical team approach” to become “fusion”. Why has no clear strategy for functional restoration of maxillary and mandibular defects emerged？ Comprehensive satisfaction is still not provided in some cases. In the ideal case, the choice of the maxillofacial prosthesis and the bone anchored device for wide edentulous area should not be determined as a result of the surgery, but rather the selection of a donor of reconstructed bone should be made at the time of designing the reconstructive surgery, taking into consideration the tumor, the extent of jaw resection, the remaining teeth, and the occlusal condition. Reverse planning of treatment and functional recovery by digital simulation should also be considered. We believe that this is the essence of “fusion.”
