Fabrication of a facial prosthesis for a 13-year-old child by using a point-and-shoot three-dimensional scanner and CAD/CAM technology

Abstract

Patients cannot wear ocular prostheses after undergoing orbital exenteration. They require a facial prosthesis to obtain a more favorable appearance, which greatly affects their social life and psychological health. In addition, conventional prosthesis-making processes require substantial time and expense. The economic burden is particularly heavy on children, who may require many prosthesis replacements as they mature. We report a method of fabricating a facial prosthesis by three-dimensional (3D) facial scanning and 3D printed for a 13-year-old girl who underwent partial orbital exenteration for malignant ciliary body medulloepithelioma 2 years ago. The patient's facial contour was captured with a hand-held, point-and-shoot 3D scanner. A facial prosthesis was designed using a mirror image technique with 3D modeling software and 3D printed. The prosthesis was then postprocessed and cast in silicone rubber. An ocular prosthesis was integrated into the facial prosthesis. The prosthesis was retained by prosthetic adhesives. This digitally assisted, impression-free method may lower the cost and effort of making facial prostheses and improve patient comfort, especially for children.

Keywords

• facial prosthesis
• orbital exenteration
• three-dimensional printing
• three-dimensional scanning