An assessment of recent advances in external maxillofacial materials.

A variety of new materials representing several polymer classes and diverse fabrication procedures are now becoming available for use as external maxillofacial prostheses. Because of the availability of these materials, the severely disfigured patient can now be provided an opportunity to elad a near-normal life in today's society. Remarkable advancements have been made in providing the patient with prostheses which feel and look more like skin. Progress has also been made in simplifying fabrication procedures, thus reducing cost. Much remains to be done in materials research. Processing time is still too long for most of the materials. Some of the materials give variable results in the quality and stability of the prostheses because of sensitivity to contaminants and to lab conditions and operator technique. Extrinsic coloration is extremely tedious and diffult with many of the products. The fitting and attachment of the prosthesis to the patient continues to need much improvement. Margins are difficult to mask even with the best materials. Large prostheses of most of the materials are much too heavy and are poorly retained. Staining of the prostheses by foods, cosmetics, and tobacco is a serious problem. The need for an improved material has been recognized by various government agencies and a few of the industrial suppliers of synthetic polymers. Additional advances are sure to result from these efforts.