Vacuum-formed matrix as a guide for the fabrication of craniofacial implant tissue bar-retained auricular prostheses.

Craniofacial implant-retained auricular prostheses usually require a tissue bar and/or retentive elements in addition to the prosthetic ear. Complete coverage of the tissue bar and retentive elements in a given bulk of prosthetic material is sometimes difficult to achieve, but it is crucial to ensure that all the prosthetic components are kept within the contour of the auricular prosthesis to maintain esthetics and form. This article describes a method for fabrication of auricular prostheses with all the elements predictably confined within the anatomic contour of the prostheses.