It is a well-known saying that the eyes are \"windows to the soul.\" The absence or loss of any facial part, particularly the vision, can lead to severe physical as well as emotional trauma. Losing any part of the face causes the patient societal, physical, and psychological anguish. An ocular prosthesis aims to improve social acceptance and boost self-confidence by restoring the facial appearance. A pediatric dental specialist should be a part of the maxillofacial prosthesis team since maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation in young children can be challenging, especially with the less cooperative ones. The following case report describes these challenges in relation to a 5-year-old boy who had his eye enucleated due to trauma. The purpose of the case was to provide custom-built, acrylic ocular prostheses in as comfortable and atraumatic manner as possible by the maxillofacial prosthetic team.
UNASSIGNED: Bansod AV, Pisulkar S, Beri A, et al. Rehabilitation of an Ocular Defect Using a Custom Ocular Prosthesis in a Pediatric Patient. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(4):479-482.

The repair of hemimandibulectomy defects involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is challenging. This study compared the functional outcomes and reconstruction accuracy using a deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap with and without a virtually planned stock TMJ prosthesis (TMJP) after hemimandibulectomy. Ten patients were assessed: five with a TMJP (TMJP group) and five without (control group). A three-dimensional comparison revealed a mean deviation of 0.11 ± 0.04 mm between the planned and actual DCIA flap with TMJP. The planned and actual TMJP positions differed by 0.56 ± 0.57 mm in height, 0.33 ± 0.24 mm ventrally/dorsally, and 1.18 ± 0.42 mm medially/laterally. Mouth opening, laterotrusion, and midline deviation were significantly greater in the control group than in the TMJP group (P = 0.024, P = 0.008, P = 0.024). The deviation in ventral to dorsal translation for the DCIA flap was slightly higher than reported values in the literature, while height deviation was comparable. Lower deviations in the literature were due to the DCIA flap being used where both TMJs were intact. The in-house virtually planned DCIA flap with stock TMJP yielded results comparable to more expensive patient-specific prostheses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current evidence of digital workflow feasibility based on the data acquisition methods and the software tools used to fabricate intraoral prostheses for patients with partial or total maxillary and mandibular defects.
METHODS: An electronic search was performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science using a combination of relevant keywords: digital workflow, digital designing, computer-assisted design-computer aided manufacturing, 3D printing, maxillectomy, and mandibulectomy. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool was used to assess the quality of evidence in the studies reviewed.
RESULTS: From a total of 542 references, 33 articles were selected, including 25 on maxillary prostheses and 8 on mandibular prostheses. The use of digital workflows was limited to one or two steps of the fabrication of the prostheses, and only four studies described a complete digital workflow. The most preferred method for data acquisition was intraoral scanning with or without a cone beam computed tomography combination.
CONCLUSIONS: Currently, the fabrication process of maxillofacial prostheses requires combining digital and conventional methods. Simplifying the data acquisition methods and providing user-friendly and affordable software may encourage clinicians to use the digital workflow more frequently for patients requiring maxillofacial prostheses.

the aim of this paper, is to propose a new reference line: the Frontozygomatic-Infraorbital Line (FZ-IOL). This reference line can guide the surgical team planning mandibular angle harmonization, based on the patient\'s skeletal proportion. The Frontozygomatic-Infraorbital Line has been adopted for symmetrization surgery, masculinization surgery, and in unsatisfactory results of previous orthognathic surgery. From March 2021 to December 2022, 3 patients were treated for severe facial asymmetry affecting mainly the lower third of the face. All cases were planned with the reference FZ-IOL. Patients were treated in the same center, at the Orthognathic Surgery Department of the Instituto Portugues da Face, Lisbon, Portugal. The Frontozygomatic-Infraorbital Line is designed virtually using software to reconstruct a 3D image from a digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) file obtained from a cone beam computer tomography (CBCT). , connecting the two orbital rims. Then, a vertical line, the frontozygomatic line perpendicular to the IOL and passing through the outmost lateral portion of the frontozygomatic suture is drawn. The proposed line demonstrated how establishing appropriate reference lines is crucial for the success of the surgery. The selection of reference lines should be based on the patient\'s anatomy, the symmetrization process\'s complexity, and the surgery\'s desired outcome. The Frontozygomatic-Infraorbital Line represents an adequate reference line for managing mandibular angle lateral projection, improving lower third of the face symmetrization.

In a rare condition known as vaginal agenesis, the uterus (womb) may develop only partially or not at all, while the vagina fails to develop altogether. It is common to diagnose vaginal agenesis, when a female does not start menstruation at puberty. This is a prenatal disorder that may also be linked to bone or kidney issues. Mullerian agenesis, Mullerian aplasia, and Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome are other names for the illness. Treatment modalities encompass surgical and nonsurgical interventions, including the utilization of prefabricated or customized vaginal stents for neovagina reconstruction and maintenance. This case report describes the development of a neovagina in a 27-year-old female diagnosed with vaginal agenesis, a characteristic of MRKH syndrome. A customized clear acrylic stent, designed to provide a resilient surface, serves as a straightforward and cost-efficient alternative for managing this condition. Significantly, it enhances patient\'s compliance and comfort during treatment, addressing both the physical and psychological ramifications of this congenital anomaly. This customized vaginal stent not only provides a practical solution but also contributes to enhancing the quality of life for individuals grappling with vaginal agenesis, thereby offering a promising avenue for addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with this condition.

The absence of any organ of the facial region causes an asymmetrical appearance. This asymmetrical appearance can cause social dilemmas for the patient. The maxillofacial technician, the prosthodontist, and the patient must work closely together to fabricate an epithesis. On the implants, a superstructure is first constructed. Most of it is made up of rings and a bar that joins the implants. The firm acrylic resin base of the epithesis is equipped with clips that serve as the epithesis\'s retention mechanism. The actual epithesis is made of silicone rubber. The epithesis has to be shaped and colored with extreme caution. An appropriate substitute is an auricular prosthesis that is implant-retained. Microtia, deformity, malformation, and loss of the external ear, either partially or completely, can result from a variety of inherited genetic conditions. To evaluate the symmetry of both ears, artificial intelligence (AI) software is used. An Instagram lens Gridset by crystalwavesxx was used to correct and verify the bilateral symmetry of the patient. This case report primarily focuses on the fabrication of implant-supported auricular prostheses using AI.

UNASSIGNED: The purpose of this comparative study in vitro was to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic nanoparticles on colour stability, tear strength and hardness of maxillofacial silicone elastomer at baseline and when subjected to outdoor weathering for 6 months.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 240 specimens were fabricated using M511 platinum silicone which were divided into total 4 groups (n = 60) based on the type of nanoparticles (control, polytetrafuoroethylene [PTFE], titanium dioxide [TiO2], zinc oxide [ZnO]) added and each group was further divided into 3 subgroups (n = 20) for colour, tear strength (TS) and hardness (H) testing. The tests were conducted and data was obtained both before and after outdoor weathering of 6 months.
UNASSIGNED: Minimum colour change after weathering was observed in PTFE group (∆E = 2.23). TiO2 group showed maximum TS (12.01 N/mm) followed by PTFE group (10.85 N/mm) before weathering. After weathering, maximum TS was shown by TiO2 group (12.9 N/mm) and PTFE group (12.54 N/mm). TiO2 group showed maximum hardness (24.15 shore A) before weathering and PTFE group showed maximum hardness (33.43 shore A) after weathering.
UNASSIGNED: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the addition of polytetrafuoroethylene nanoparticles to the polymer enhances both the optical as well as mechanical properties and can be considered favourable for the extended life of the prosthesis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in situ the influence of sweat, oil, sunscreen, and disinfectant solution on the color stability, hardness, and roughness of elastomer for facial prostheses.
METHODS: Standardized and intrinsically pigmented specimens remained in contact with human skin from the same person for 30 days, considering exposures (n = 36 per group), absent of exposition (Control, C); sweat and oiliness contact (SO); sweat and oiliness associated with sunscreen (SOS); 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate immersion (CD0.12%); and all agents exposed (SOSCD). The main variables were color change (CIELab and National Standard Bureau system, NBS), Shore A hardness, and surface roughness, measured at baseline and 30 days. Qualitative analyses were performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis tests (color) and two-way ANOVA (hardness and roughness) with Sidak post-test (α = 0.05).
RESULTS: CD0.12% (1.54 ± 0.49) and SOSCD (2.10 ± 1.03) had similar effects and caused the smallest color changes, considered mild and noticeable (NBS), respectively. SOS promoted the greatest color change (6.99 ± 1.43, NBS: large) and hardness (17.97 ± 0.56); SOS promoted intermediate roughness (3.48 ± 1.05) between SOSCD (2.25 ± 0.53), and two similar groups: C (4.46 ± 0.95), and CD0.12% (4.39 ± 1.26). The qualitative analysis showed an irregular, dense, dry, and whitish layer on the surface of the specimens exposed to sunscreen, which was reduced when in contact with 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate.
CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous and exogenous factors are capable of altering elastomer properties. The 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate minimized the changes caused by sweat, oil, and sunscreen.

Trauma, cancer, and congenital abnormalities are the three main causes of eye loss. A person\'s personal and professional life is left with functional, aesthetic, and psychological problems when they lose one eye. A customized ocular prosthesis made of heat-cured polymethylmethacrylate can be used to restore an eye defect. Fabrication of the customized ocular prosthesis has multiple steps including scleral plank fabrication, iris positioning, and characterization. This article\'s primary goal is to explain a novel method for iris positioning for better cosmetic outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Maxillofacial prosthodontists were advanced digital technology (ADT) adopters early in the new Millennium. The past two decades saw a range of digital enablers emerge including digital imaging (internal and surface), digital surgical planning, digital functional assessment, subtractive and additive manufacturing, navigation, and robotics among others. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the latest ADT arrival that will be a challenging disruptive technology. ADT has served as a profound change agent in maxillofacial prosthodontics. The intent was to explore the process and level of ADT engagement in maxillofacial prosthodontics.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose was twofold. Firstly, to explore maxillofacial prosthodontic engagement of ADT. Secondly, to develop a discussion document to assist the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics (AAMP) with establishing a collective awareness and considered opinion on the future of maxillofacial prosthodontics in the digital era.
METHODS: AAMP member interest in ADT was assessed through analysis of AAMP annual congress programs and publications in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry (JPD). The history of the maxillofacial prosthodontic journey to the digital era was undertaken with a selective literature review. The perceptions maxillofacial prosthodontists hold on ADT engagement was assessed through a survey of AAMP members. Developing an understanding of the influence AI was conducted with a review of pertinent literature.
RESULTS: From 2011-2020, an annual mean of 38% of papers published in the JPD involved clinical use of ADT. From 2017-2019, 44% of invited presentations at AAMP annual congresses included clinical use of ADT. The journey to the digital era distinguished three periods with formative and consolidation periods influencing the innovation digital era. The AAMP member survey had a 59% response rate and studied 10 domains through 31 questions. Of the respondents, 89% thought ADT important to the future of maxillofacial prosthodontics.
CONCLUSIONS: The discussion document will assist the AAMP in developing a collective consciousness and considered opinion on ADT in the future of maxillofacial prosthodontics. Members of the AAMP have a developed interest in clinical applications of ADT. A great challenge is that no formal education, training, or clinical competency requirements for ADT could be identified. Clinical competency requirements are important to prepare maxillofacial prosthodontics for the inevitability of a digital era future. The discussion document poses the fundamental question of whether maxillofacial prosthodontists will remain as passive end users of ADT and AI or will they become engaged knowledge workers that have determined clinical competency in ADT and AI in patient care. Without this knowledge worker role, maxillofacial prosthodontists may experience difficulty being part of the inevitable ADT-AI driven future.