Facial defects restored with extraoral implant-supported prostheses.

A facial defect results in cosmetic, functional, and psychologic problems and acts as a difficult and challenging procedure for the maxillofacial surgeon and the prosthodontist. Retention of a facial prosthesis is an important key in the patient's satisfaction and acceptance. The introduction of extraoral implant applications have been accepted as an advanced retention method. The purpose of this article is to report the results from our clinical experience with patients wearing facial prostheses anchored to extraoral ITI implants (Straumann, AG, Basel, Switzerland).

Effect of mica and glass on acrylic teeth material's color.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different ratios of silanized mica filler and milled glass fiber reinforcement on the color of acrylic denture teeth materials. Ten acrylic resin discs made of acrylic denture teeth material (PMMA) obtained from the manufacturer were used as the control group. Four experimental groups were modified from the control group's PMMA material by adding a ratio of 5% or 10% by weight of silane-treated mica filler or milled glass fibers. Each group consisted of 10 specimens. Measurements were performed using a spectrophotometer CM-2600d, and the color changes were characterized in the Commission Internationale d'Eclairage L*a*b* color space. deltaE* values of 5% mica-, 10% mica-, 5% glass-, and 10% glass-containing sample groups were 2.46, 3.03, 2.16, and 2.59 respectively. There were statistically significant differences in L*, a*, and b* values between the control group and each test group. It was shown that when PMMA denture teeth material was modified with silane-treated mica filler or silane-treated milled glass fibers for the purpose of reinforcement, it would also cause significant changes to the original color of the material.