Abstract
Maxillof acial prosthetic treatment using Epitec System was performed after treatment of a malignant tumor in the oral and maxillof acial region.
Epitec System (Leibinger, Germany) is different in shape from other types of maxillof acial osseous implants and it was developed from a titanium plate originally for fractured jaws. A 1mm thick cross-striped titanium plate was adapted to the bone around a defect and fixed with 2mm diameter titanium screws. Three months or more after the placement of the plate, the post to penetrate skin or mucosa is screwed into the hole left by removal of a sleeping screw, and abutment was placed on the other side.
Maxillof acial prostheses (epitheses) were set in three patients with defects in this region due to tumor resection. In case 1, the progress of the tumor was favorable giving satisfactory support and stability to the epitheses. But in case 2, tumor recurrence was found six months after the prosthetic treatment : the prosthesis and titanium plate could be removed in minimum surgical violation. In case 3, simultaneous placement of the plate at the tumor resection was performed in an attempt to achieve functional restoration at an early stage.
Epitec System has advantages in maxillof acial prosthetic treatment over other alternatives. For example, it is adaptable in case of thin bone, maintains the epithesis in an ideal position, and surgical invasion is minimal at the time of its placement and removal.
