Laser Doppler imaging of skin microcirculation under fiber-reinforced composite framework of facial prosthesis

Abstract

Objective. Glass-fiber reinforced composite has been suggested to be used as framework material in silicone elastomer facial prostheses. The glass-fiber reinforced framework makes it possible to make the margin of the prosthesis very tight, so that it will lean tightly against the skin even during facial expressions and jaw movements. The purpose of this study was to study how the compression of the glass-fiber reinforced framework would affect the microcirculation of the facial skin. Materials and methods. A face mask, with a compression pad corresponding to the outer margin of a glass fiber-reinforced composite framework beam of a facial prosthesis, was used to apply pressure on the facial skin of healthy volunteers. The skin blood flow during touch, light and moderate compression of the skin was measured by laser Doppler imaging technique. Results. None of the compressions had any marked effects on local skin blood flow. No significant differences between the blood flow of the compressed skin, compared to the baseline values, were found. Conclusions. The pressure applied to the skin by the tight margins of a facial prosthesis, fabricated with a framework of glass-fiber reinforced composite, does not remarkably alter the skin blood flow.

Key Words::

• Facial prosthesis
• blood flow
• compression

Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the Academy of Finland, the Finnish Dental Society Apollonia and the research fund of Vaasa Hospital district. The study is part of the research activity of BioCity Turku Biomaterials Research Program (www.biomaterials.utu.fi).

Declaration of interest: Pekka Vallittu consults Stick Tech Ltd, and he is a member of GC group in training and research. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.