maxillofacial prosthetics: Definition, Uses, and Clinical Overview
maxillofacial prosthetics is a dental and medical field focused on restoring missing or altered parts of the face, jaws, and mouth with custom-made prostheses. It is commonly used after cancer treatment, trauma, or congenital (present-from-birth) conditions that affect facial structures. Some devices replace external facial parts (like an ear or nose), while others restore internal structures (like the palate) to improve speech and swallowing. Care is often coordinated by a prosthodontist (a dentist specializing in complex restoration) as part of a multidisciplinary team.