Forms

Products

  • ProsAide - liquid adhesive for use with silicone prosthetics manufactured by ADM Tronics.

  • Daro Hydrobond/ES - fragrance-free liquid adhesive for use with silicone prosthetics by Factor II, Inc.

  • 3M #1524 - medical double sided tape for use with silicone prosthetics

Reference Guides for Prostheses - PDFs

Support Network Groups

  • AmeriFace - Resource directory, self-help network and consultations for people who have facial differences.

  • Support for People with Oral and Head & Neck Cancer - Patient run support group network providing group meetings, networking, newsletter and insurance information for oral, head and neck cancer survivors.

  • The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors - leading national nonprofit organization which provides peer support, education, and advocacy for anyone affected by a burn injury.

  • Ear Community - Warm and supportive community for people with hearing loss, Microtia, Atresia, Hemifacial Microsomia (HFM), Treacher Collins, or Goldenhar Syndrome. Ear Community resources can help you understand your options, find helpful resources, and learn about the latest technology and surgical options.

  • Eye Cancer Network - Helps patients around the world find detailed descriptions, images, and information about the diagnosis and treatment of the various forms of ocular tumors and related eye diseases.

  • Patient Advocate Foundation - Serves as an active liaison between patients and the insurer, employer, and/or creditors to ensure access to care, maintenance of employment, and financial stability. Case managers, doctors, and attorneys work through the Foundation.

  • American Childhood Cancer Organization - Nationwide organization that offers support and advocacy to families of children with cancer, survivors of childhood cancer, and the professionals who care for them. They provide Informative books free of charge to those with financial constraints.

Informational Resources

  • Administration for Community Living - Information and resources for older adults and people with disabilities about independent living and community support networks.

  • Burn Survivor Resource Center - Information and support for burn survivors and their families throughout the world.

  • Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Institute - Current, comprehensive information on all major types of cancer, treatments, and clinical trials, plus referrals to treatment facilities and doctors, via telephone, fax, on-line and print.

  • Caregiver Survival Resources - Caregiver Media Group is a leading provider of information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers. Founded in 1995, they produce Today's Caregiver magazine, the first national magazine dedicated to caregivers, the Sharing Wisdom Caregivers Conferences and their web site which includes topic specific newsletters, online discussion lists, back issue articles of Today's Caregiver magazine, chat rooms and an online store.

  • Head and Neck Cancer Alliance - A range of resources for caregivers and patients dealing with head and neck cancer, including information about diagnosis, treatment and side effects, research, peer support, and more.

  • myFace - “A non-profit organization dedicated to changing the faces – and transforming the lives – of children and adults with facial differences.” In particular, myFace provides support for people with facial differences who are in need of complex care.

  • Skin Cancer in People of Color - Helpful information about skin cancer awareness and prevention for people of color, from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Recommended Reading

For Children

  • Isaac and Lilah – A story of similarities and differences
    A book by Liz Jones, written for younger children, about acceptance of our similarities and differences.

  • The Adventures of Billie BAHA and Her SuperHEARo Friends - Teacher and author Jessica Jordan-Hogan created this supportive and fun website and book “to illuminate the uniqueness in students with varying exceptionalities while also showing the similarities of just being a “regular ‘ol kid”. Follow the adventures of book character Billie, a superHEARo who has bilateral microtia.

    Chelsea & Her Little Ear Make A New Friend
    A book by Simone Cheadle written about Simone’s daughter, Chelsea, having microtia and atresia. The book discusses how Chelsea makes friends and also takes you through Chelsea’s surgery when getting her new ear.

  • Rebekah’s Superpower

    A book by Emma Bilyk that was “…written to help deaf and hard of hearing kiddos be empowered and have language for self advocacy. Rebekah is a little girl born with microtia and wears a BAHA to help her hear. Hearing aids give you super powers!”

For Adults

  • Vistafix - A Bone Anchored Facial Prosthetic Solution

  • A Singular View - The Art of Seeing With One Eye by Frank Brady is a patient’s guide to problems with monocularity.

  • Microtia is a resource booklet from About Face that explains microtia and related syndromes, such as hemifacial microsomia and Treacher Collins syndrome. This booklet discusses treatment timing and options as well as social adjustment.

  • Acquiring A Facial Difference: Skin Cancer is a resource booklet from About Face that helps patients understand the physical and mental health challenges of acquiring a facial difference and provides information on types of facial cancer, treatment options, rehabilitation and options for support.

Caring For Your Prosthesis

Wear and Care Instructions
Generally, we recommend that you remove your prosthesis daily for cleaning, and for you to be able to clean the underlying skin. This is an easy process. We provide our patients with personalized instructions for daily wear and care. Our prostheses are easily cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, foamed ethyl alcohol or dye-free dish soap. We also stock adhesive products in our office for patient convenience. Please check with us before experimenting with new products.

In The News




 

Terminology

aesthetic
pleasing in appearance

abutment
a titanium implant component that extends from the implant fixture through the skin surface in order to stabilize an external prosthesis.

anaplastologist
a health care professional educated and trained in the design, fabrication and management of custom-made facial, ocular (eye), and somatic prostheses that demand a high degree of realism based on a physician’s order and clinical assessment.

anaplastology
the art and science of prosthetic restoration of the eye, face, and other parts of the human body that demand a high degree realism.

anotia
absence of the external ear

canal atresia
absence of the external ear canal

auricular
referring to the external ear (auricle)

auriculectomy
surgical removal of the external ear

bilateral
referring to both sides of the body

bone anchored implant
a titanium fixture that is placed into bone and used for the support of prosthetic devices or hearing aids

CCA
certified clinical anaplastologist credentialed by the Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology (link)

CO
certified orthotist credentialed by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (link)

congenital
used to describe a condition present at birth

cosmetic surgery
surgery performed to reshape normal structures of the body to improve the patient’s appearance and self-esteem

craniofacial
related to or involving both the head and the face

digital
pertaining to finger or toe

distal
when referring to a finger amputation, indicates a level of amputation near the tip

facial prosthesis
an artificial substitute for missing or disfigured facial anatomy that restores form and function

Goldenhar Syndrome
also known as oculo-auriculo-vertebral sydrome
a congenital condition that typically includes incomplete development of the ears, nose, soft palate, lip and jaw

hemifacial microsomia
a congenital condition that may affect the development of the ears, mouth and jaw

hemifacial prosthesis
an artificial substitute for an extensive area of the face and includes the eye and eyelids as well as part or all of the nose, cheek and eyebrow

hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO)
involves breathing pure oxygen while in a pressurized chamber, which allows for a greater intake of oxygen and promotes healing in the body. It is often used to treat bone and soft tissue damaged by radiation therapy.

maxillofacial prosthodontist
a dental specialist who deals with replacement of teeth and other structures about the mouth and face using artificial means.

microtia
a condition present at birth that describes an underdeveloped external ear

midfacial
relating to the nose and surrounding anatomy

Nager Syndrome
a rare congenital condition with facial bone abnormalities affecting the eye, cheekbones, lower jaw and palate that typically includes underdeveloped or absent ears

nasal
relating to the nose

ocular
relating to the globe of the eye or eyeball; also refers to an eye prosthesis

ocularist
an allied health professional who specializes in prosthetic restoration of the globe of the eye or eyeball

orbital
relating to the round cavity in which the eye is located; also refers to a prosthesis that replaces the eye and eyelids as well as other surrounding anatomy

orbital exenteration
the surgical removal of the entire contents of the orbit: eye; eyelids; muscles of the eye

osseointegration
the process of bone growing tightly around implanted titanium fixtures, so that they can be used as an anchor for a prosthetic device.

partial facial prosthesis
a prosthesis that includes part of the face not associated with a facial feature

prosthesis
a device that is an artificial substitute for absent or disfigured anatomy

prosthetics
a branch of medicine dealing with the design, production, and use of artificial body parts

reconstructive
a surgical procedure or prosthetic device performed or created to correct abnormal structures of the body, caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease. Reconstructive surgery or prosthetic devices are generally performed or created to improve function, but may also be needed to approximate a normal appearance.

rhinectomy
surgical removal of the nose

scleroderma
an autoimmune disease in which the skin becomes progressively hard and thickened

silicone
a synthetic rubber material that is biocompatible

somatic
relating to or affecting surface of the body

titanium
a corrosion resistant silvery metallic chemical element whose strength, light weight, and biocompatibility make it the ideal material for implantation into the human body

Treacher Collins Syndrome
a congenital condition with facial bone abnormalities including defects of the eye, depressed cheek bones, receding chin, small jaw and underdeveloped ears

upper facial prosthesis
an artificial substitute that involves the eye and eyelids as well as the eyebrow or cheek