Contemporary Restorative Approaches in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics: Materials, Retention Systems, and Digital Technologies

Abstract

Background: Particularly after head and neck cancers, maxillofacial prosthodontics is essential to the rehabilitation of patients with facial defects brought on by trauma, congenital abnormalities, or surgical resection. The functional and aesthetic results of facial prosthesis rehabilitation have been greatly enhanced by developments in biomaterials, retention systems, and digital technologies.

Objective: The goal of this review is to present a thorough analysis of restorative techniques in maxillofacial prosthodontics, encompassing digital technologies, implant-supported systems, innovative materials, and conventional treatments. Methods: With the use of electronic resources including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, a narrative literature review was carried out. Using predetermined keywords associated with maxillofacial prosthesis, face rehabilitation, prosthetic materials, retention systems, and digital fabrication technologies, peer-reviewed publications published between 2010 and 2024 were filtered. Included were pertinent papers on intraoral and extraoral prosthesis rehabilitation. Results: According to available data, acrylic resins are still used in some intraoral applications, but silicone elastomers continue to be the preferred material for extraoral prosthesis because of their better biomechanical and aesthetic qualities. When compared to adhesive-based methods, implant-retained prostheses exhibit better retention, stability, and patient satisfaction. Additionally, the combination of digital processes, three-dimensional printing, and CAD/CAM technology has improved customization, decreased manufacturing time, and increased prosthesis precision.

Conclusion: Digitally driven, patient-specific rehabilitation techniques that prioritize functional restoration, aesthetics, and quality of life have become the norm in modern maxillofacial prosthodontics. The current level of care is represented by the mix of digital technology, dependable retention methods, and improved materials. It is anticipated that future advancements combining tissue engineering and artificial intelligence would significantly alter clinical judgment and prosthetic results.