Case Report DOI: 10.18231/2455-8486.2017.0015 Annals of Prosthodontics & Restorative Dentistry, April-June 2017:3(2):63-66 63 Auricular prosthesis: A ray of hope Arun Kumar N. 1,* , Chitturi Ravi Kumar 2 , Duggineni Chalapathirao 3 , Gurram Sunil Kumar 4 1 PG Student, 2 Professor & HOD, 3 Professor, 4 Reader, Dept. of Prosthodontics, Mamata Dental College, Telangana *Corresponding Author: Email: dr.arunrathod99@gmail.com Abstract The absence of an associated part of an ear may be a considerable aesthetic drawback which affects the patient’s scientific discipline and social behaviour. Prosthetic rehabilitation of auricular defects is often a demanding procedure due to broad variety of clinical approaches and a wide array of treatment options. This can be corrected surgically, prosthetically or through a combination of these approaches, however the choice of treatment depends on patient. Auricular prostheses have been retained by methods including implants, adhesives and spectacle frames however the selection of repair ultimately depends on patient factors, amount of soft tissue loss, and replacement of auricular defect. The patients opt for prosthetic rehabilitation over surgical procedures and retention became an essential issue in this approach. Replacement of such parts for restoring their loss of function and esthetics is done by using numerous biocompatible materials, strategies we tend to select new materials and used latest technology to ensure the best quality prosthesis. This case report describes the clinical and laboratory procedure for fabricating an auricular prosthetic device for a patient with trauma associated unilateral auricular deformity. Keywords: Auricular defect, Maxillofacial prosthesis, Adhesive retained prosthesis, Room temperature vulcanizing silicone, Auricular prosthesis. Introduction Facial tissue defects may be acquired, congenital. Facial deformity can cause functional and serious psychological issues that may affect an individual’s social behaviour. (1,2) The field of maxillofacial prosthetics concerns with the prosthetic reconstruction of missing/disfigured head and neck tissue. (3) Auricular reconstruction could be a difficult task for surgeons since it is a field of facial cosmetic surgery within which a large array of rehabilitative choices typically should be considered. (4) Ear is a major part of middle third of the face. Although it is a vital organ to facilitate hearing by receiving and diverting sound waves, it can also contribute to the aesthetic part of the face, such patients suffer from psychological and emotional stress, mostly from the cosmic aspect. (5) The various treatment choice present now a days include traditional mechanically retained prosthesis, bio- adhesive retained prosthesis, implant retained and the recently developed rapid prototyping and computer aided designing - computer aided machining (CAD- CAM) developed prosthesis. (6) Long term success of facial prosthesis depends primarily on retention and the maxillofacial prosthesis are retained with varied methods of retention like medical grade adhesives, anatomical undercuts, and mechanical devices like spectacles, hair bands, magnets, and implants. (7) Case Report A 25-year-old patient visited the department of prosthodontics, with chief complaint of deficient left auricular tissue and wanted to get it corrected with an artificial prosthesis. Patient gave a history of trauma to the left ear because of electrocution. Burnt part with irregular and keloid surface on the left side of the head. The wound was fully healed and the surrounding skin showed no signs of inflammation and infection. (Fig. 1) Fig. 1: Lateral view showing auricular defect Clinical examination disclosed deformed helix, antihelix, concha, anti-helical fold, and lobules, but a part of tragus is left. The cartilaginous parts were completely missing. Only the dermis was present. Hence, ear prosthesis was fabricated to camouflage the damaged ear. The restorative choice like surgical autogenous reconstruction implant retained with soft tissue undercuts and skin adhesives were explained to the patient. Because the patient was apprehensive for surgical procedures, he opted for the prosthetic approach. Thus, the silicone prosthesis was opted as the treatment of choice. (8) Patient education and counseling was done regarding the nature of function and limitation of the prosthesis. A written informed consent was secured and pre-operative photography was performed for assessment and evaluation.