THE NEW ADDITION TO MAXILLOFACIAL MATERIALS- A SUCCINCT REVIEW

ABSTRACT Recent improvements in maxillofacial prosthetic materials and impression techniques have made prostheses for people with facial defects much more useful, attractive, and long-lasting. Silicone elastomers with nano-additives (like TiO₂ and nano-cellulose fibers) are a new type of material that is stronger, more stable in color, and more resistant to bacteria than regular silicones. 3D-printed polymer prostheses are better than hand-sculpting or CNC methods because they can be made quickly, are cheaper, and can be made to fit each patient. Polyurethanes are more flexible and less likely to tear than rigid acrylic resins. New polyphosphazenes and chlorinated polyethylene, on the other hand, show promise for biomimetic and weather-resistant uses, respectively. Digital intraoral scanners have changed how impressions are made, making them more accurate and comfortable for patients than traditional alginate and elastomers. Polyvinyl siloxane, polyether, and resins that cure with visible light make things even more accurate and efficient. These improvements fix problems with traditional materials, like breaking down and changing size, but there are still problems like high costs and complicated processing. 4D printing and standardized testing are two things that could help improve outcomes even more in the future. Keywords: Maxillofacial prosthetics, Silicone elastomers, 3D printing, Nano-additives.