Maxillofacial prosthetic reconstruction of a maxillary defect resulting from gunshot wound. A case report

Gunshot wound rehabilitation represents a major challenge to both Οral and Μaxillofacial Surgeons and Prosthodontic Specialists. Facial gunshot injuries may have serious aesthetic and functional effects for the patient. The aim of this clinical report is to present the prosthetic rehabilitation of a 63 year-old patient, whose previous gunshot self-injury had resulted in a large defect in the anterior maxilla, upper lip, nose and nasal floor. After a series of surgical reconstructive attempts with soft tissue flaps, which had taken place in the past in his native country (Russia) and had not involved any prosthesis,the patient was referred to our clinic by a general dentist 3 years ago, due to difficulties in the fabrication of a complete denture. The treatment included surgical removal of the oversized fat tissue mass, thinning of the previously used palatal flaps and simultaneous placement of 3 mini-implants and 1 regular dental implant in the posterior region of the maxilla to support an implant-retained overdenture with ball-attachments.The importance of close collaboration between surgeons and prosthodontists is also stressed.