Extra-Oral Craniofacial Endosseous Implants

Patients who are candidates for implant supported facial prosthesis need to have an overall assessment. Their treatment plans should not be based solely on whether there is enough bone for implant placement. Because the implant approach to supporting a facial prosthesis is a relatively new concept, much remains to be learned about patient selection, implant placement, prosthetic design, materials, and components to be used in fabrication. Although osseointegration of craniofacial implants is reported as favourable, the question remains as to whether a prosthetic design exists that will complement and enhance success.Long term success in tissue integrated prosthesis in the craniofacial region can be routinely programmed by making use of a disciplined surgical prosthodontic protocol. The key elements of this protocol are the diagnostic wax up and the surgical template. The application of this treatment planning concept will ensure precision and predictability for the success in this field. The spectrum of Osseointegrated craniofacial extra oral implant application in maxillofacial reconstructive patients is quite varied today.