Rehabilitation of a Patient of Traumatic Anotia using Computer Aided Designing and Rapid Prototyping

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Absence of external auricle predisposes anindividual to a great deal of psychological trauma alongwith functional complications. The conventional methodsof fabrication of auricular prosthesis by duplicating themorphology of the normal contralateral ear are timeconsuming, error-prone and very much subjective in terms ofquality.Case report The present case report describes rehabilitationof a patient of traumatic anotia of left side with a custommade adhesive retained silicone prosthesis, developed withthe help of computer aided designing and rapid prototypingtechnology.Conclusion: Consistent good quality prosthesis may beobtained using advanced digital technologies that includeoptical scanning, computer-aided designing (CAD) and rapidprototyping (RP) which are more objective in nature.