MAXILLOFACIAL REHABILITATION

Maxillofacial prosthodontics is a subspecialty of prosthodontics that requires an additional year of training beyond the three year prosthodontic residency. It deals with prosthetic rehabilitation of acquired and congenital defects in the oral and maxillofacial region. These defects usually arise as a result of cancer, trauma, or developmental reasons. Although Dr Andrus is not a Maxillofacial Prosthodontist, his prosthodontic training included literature reviews and hospital based treatment of maxillofacial prosthodontic patients including diagnosis of oral cancer, treatment of mandibular discontinuity defects, cleft lip/palate, fabrication of palatal obturators, palatal lift prosthesis, prosthetic eyes, prosthetic noses, prosthetic ears. He is able to work with familiarity with otolaryngologists, radiation oncologists, anaplastologists, speech pathologists, and other members of the tumor board and medical professionals to treat these patients and refer to and collaborate with maxillofacial prosthodontists around the country. He is currently credentialed as a referral surgical staff member at St George Regional Hospitial.