Getting Started
If you are considering prosthetic care, you will likely want to explore all of your options.
We welcome you to meet with us for a new patient consultation and evaluation at no cost to you.
What to Expect
Ocular and orbital prosthesis restores the eye, eyelids, and eyebrow
Patients come to us for an auricular prosthesis (prosthetic ear), orbital prosthesis (prosthetic eye and eyelids), or nasal prosthesis (prosthetic nose), as well as prosthetic fingers and hands, prosthetic toes, and prosthetic nipples. You can expect a prosthesis uniquely created for you. We personalize everything to meet your needs—from making a custom device to determining how your prosthesis will be attached. Your prosthesis will be life-like, secure, comfortable, durable and safe.
We carefully sculpt each prosthesis to restore aesthetic balance and symmetry to your face or body. We meticulously replicate the texture, color, and translucency of living tissue to create prosthetics with a natural appearance.
Wax sculpture for an ear prosthesis
We evaluate your personal situation to determine the best method of prosthetic retention. We consider your medical history, the extent of the absent anatomy, personal preference, and dexterity.
We design our prostheses for ease of attachment and removal. We provide thorough wear and care instructions, and prepare you for follow up care. Periodic repairs or replacements are essential for long-term wellbeing.
Our materials and construction maximize the useful life of the prosthesis. When you need a replacement, we efficiently reproduce most prostheses with a single appointment thanks to our reliable method for archiving individual patient molds.
You can be assured that we select health grade materials to simulate the consistency and elasticity of absent anatomy as closely as possible. We adhere to stringent technical and hygiene standards to protect your health and safety.
The end product will be a prosthesis that is nearly indistinguishable from your anatomy that you can wear with comfort and confidence.
Experts in the Field
You will meet with one of our clinical anaplastologists who will listen to your concerns, examine your affected anatomy, and show you examples of prostheses. Our anaplastologist will describe your options for prosthetic attachment and will develop a treatment plan for you.
If you are unable to meet with our clinical team in person in Milwaukee or Madison, Wisconsin or one of our satellite locations, we can schedule a brief evaluation via Facetime or Skype. If you are not comfortable with a video meeting, you can provide us with photos and schedule a phone meeting.
Please contact us to schedule your complimentary consultation and evaluation. There is no obligation or pressure to proceed with treatment.
Health Professional Partners
Our certified clinical anaplastologists partner with surgeons, therapists, nurses, podiatrists, ocularists, dental specialists, and limb prosthetists to provide the best possible prosthetic outcome. With your permission we will contact your physician to coordinate your care and provide the necessary documentation for insurance authorization. When needed, we refer patients to the appropriate specialist.
Methods of Attachment
Methods of attachment vary depending on the affected area of the face or body. Please click on the area of interest to learn more about how your prosthesis might be secured.
Anatomical retention
Custom silicone great, second, and third toe prostheses
When part of the natural anatomy remains, we may be able to design a prosthesis that fits like a glove over the remnant. Although some practitioners recommend removal of the remnant to simplify the creation of the prosthetic, we understand that many patients prefer a conservative approach. We use techniques that allow us to overlap an intact portion of the anatomy to secure the prosthesis.
Medical adhesive attachment
Ear prosthesis over underdeveloped ear–no surgery required!
If anatomical retention is not an option then patients may rely on medical adhesive attachment for their facial prosthesis. Most of our patients easily adjust to using prosthetic adhesives —much like flossing or caring for contact lenses. We offer a variety of adhesive products (a liquid adhesive or two-sided tape), so that you can choose the one that best meets your needs.
Craniofacial bone anchored implants
Technovent magnets on Vistafix implants for attachment of an ear prosthesis
Craniofacial bone anchored implants are small titanium fixtures that a surgeon implants during an outpatient hospital procedure for attachment of facial prosthetics. These implants bond with bone (osseointegrate) to provide a stable foundation for your prosthesis. The surrounding bone bonds with the implants during a 3-6 month healing period. Once the healing period is complete, you can snap the prosthesis onto the implants using clips or magnets; you can attach and remove the facial prosthesis with ease.
What Are Appointments Like?
We typically need 3- 5 appointments to complete your prosthesis. Our office is comfortable and relaxed. We take our time with patients while we sculpt and establish fit, but we know your time is valuable. We frequently work as a team to make appointments as efficient as possible. Because our work is highly detailed some appointments are lengthy (2-to-4 hours).
There is no need to worry. We are gentle, respectful, and nothing we do is painful.
You are not alone. We have patients who enjoy sharing their story. If you are interested in talking to people with experiences similar to yours, let us know at your initial evaluation.
BEHIND THE SCENES, PART 3
Click here for a short video about working with us!
What is the Cost?
If you decide to proceed with your prosthetic treatment plan we will ask you to provide us with insurance or other payer information. With your permission we will request a physician’s order and clinical notes from your doctor. This information will help us predetermine your insurance benefits and submit a prior authorization request. We strive to set fees that are affordable, including reduced fees for replacement prostheses. We accept many health insurance options. Please be assured that we will help you navigate the complexity of billing for medical care. We also advocate on behalf of patients for coverage of reconstructive prosthetics with insurance providers.
Specific procedure/billing codes have been established for ear, eye, nose and partial facial prostheses. Unfortunately, specific procedure/billing codes have not been established for custom finger and toe prostheses, which may create challenges for insurance coverage.
We will provide you with a treatment plan that includes your anticipated financial obligation. Payment of this amount is expected when the prosthesis is complete. Partial payments during the design and fabrication process may be required.
“A wonderful experience, in every possible sense – a beautiful life-like prosthesis that has improved my quality of life in ways I couldn’t have imagined made by staff who are not only knowledgeable, talented, and painstakingly detail-oriented, but also caring, sensitive and an absolute pleasure to be around. Consider me a lifelong patient. P.S. I wrote this with the prosthesis on!”