Abstract
Background: Auricular defects showed significant challenges for the multidisciplinary team. To give the patient the best prosthetic auricular fitment, the skin nature of peri-implant tissues showed an important role in the success of the prosthetic outcome. Multiple attempts to reduce skin overgrowth and regain adequate skin thickness were considered essential to provide an adequate retained auricular prosthesis.
Purpose: The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of using clinical custom-made healing caps for implant retained auricles on peri-implant skin reaction and thickness during the healing and prosthetic phase.
Materials and Methods: A total of eleven wide-diameter intraoral implants with O-ring attachment for four patients with unilateral congenital or acquired auricular defects were placed in the available mastoid region. The use of custom-made healing caps for assessment of skin reaction and thickness in the peri-implant tissues.
Results: The use of Intraoral implants for auricular retained prosthesis showed a 100% success rate regarding osseointegration. The use of O-rings attachments served as a great help in attaching the healing caps. The healing caps provided clinically significant peri-implant tissue healing on different follow-up intervals that allowed the adequate stability and retention of the final prosthesis in situ.
Conclusions: In patients with aggressive skin reactions, the custom-constructed healing caps played a significant role in the execution of a prosthetic ear with acceptable retention and stability. The use of affordable healing caps helped minimize the auricular peri-implant tissue reaction and get the skin thickness that was essential for proper prosthesis rehabilitation.