Maxillofacial prosthodontics
Vein David
Naval
application N.
fit-tell,
Regional
technique D.D.S.,*
Medical
C.
Ray
for
ocular
Anderson,**
Center, San Diego,
prostheses and
Michael
1.
Donnan**
Calif.
_L
he physiologic ocular prosthesis, as fabricated in the Dental Corps of the United States Navy and by others, was documented by Murphy and Schlossbergl as early as 1944, and later by Niiranen.” Today, the technique is basically the same, which speaks very highly for the individuals who first developed the treatment procedure. Comparison of the most recent publication by Bartlett and Moore3 with the earlier articles which describe the technique indicates that changes have been minor and brought about by the availability of new materials (e.g., the use of acrylic resin paints instead of the more difficult to handle water colors). The purpose of this article is to describe another refinement in the basic technique of the placement of veins on the sclera so that the final result will be more predictable and easier to accomplish. BASIC
TECHNIQUE
At present, the technique calls for the use of fibers from the red string found in sterile packages of 4 by 4 inch surgical gauze. This string is cut into 1 cm. lengths and then separated into fibers (Fig. 1). The fibers are then attached to the reduced sclera blank by using a tacky solution of 50 per cent monomer and 50 per cent polymethyl methacrylate referred to as “moly-poly.” (“Moly-poly” must be stored in an airtight bottle, or it will thicken beyond a usable state.) Depending on the dexterity of the user, this method can be highly successful. Problems with this technique can occur when applying the viscous “moly-poly,” creating movements or clumping of the fibers so that they no longer resemble a normal or desired blood-vessel pattern. Dust or other foreign particles common to dental laboratories (i.e., plaster) can settle on the surface of the wet “moly-poly” and may not be detected until the prosthesis is completed, leading to an unacceptable result. The opinions or assertions contained herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Navy. *Captain (DC) USN; Chairman, Department of Dentistry. **Dental Technician, First Class, USN. 192
Vein application
for
ocular
prostheses
193
Fig. 1. Red string is cut into 1 cm. lengths and separated into fibers.
Fig. 2. Apply the fibers with a No. 00 sable-hair brush wetted with water. Fig. 3. After drying, apply a thin coat of clear acrylic resin spray.
To avoid these problems, to make the application of the simulated vessels easier, and to reduce the time required for the process, the following procedures are suggested. MODIFICATIONS ( 1) Apply
IN TECHNIQUE the fibers with
a No. 00 sable-hair
brush dampened
2).
with
water
(Fig.
without forced air, to maintain (2) Allow the prosthesis to dry by evaporation, fiber location. (3) After completion of the drying process, apply a thin coat of a clear acrylic resin spray,* obtainable from most paint stores, sprayed at a distance of 15 to 18 inches (Fig. 3). *Krylon
No. 1301 crystal clear acrylic, Borden, Inc., Columbus, Ohio.
194
Firtell, Anderson, and Donnan
Fig.
4. Completed
vein
application
and
a completed
prosthesis.
(4) After the clear acrylic spray has dried, other procedures are completed as usual (Fig. 4). CAUTION: The iris painting should not be inserted in the prosthesis until after the spray application is completed. Early insertion of the iris painting made with acrylic resin paints could result in distortion of the finer brush strokes on the iris painting or the formation of an air interface. An interface on the surface of the iris creates a mirror in the finished prosthesis. References 1. Murphy, P. J., and Schlossberg, L.: Eye Replacement by Acrylic U. S. Naval Med. Bull. 43: 1085-1099, 1944. 2. Niiranen, J. V.: The Plastic Ocular Prosthesis, U. S. Naval Med. 3. Bartlett, S. O., and Moore, D. J.: Ocular Prosthesis: A Physiologic DENT. 29: 450-459, 1973. NAVAL REGIONAL MEIXCAL SAN DIEGO, CALIF. 92134
CENTER
Maxillofacial
Prosthesis,
Bull. 47: System,
5-22, 1947. J. PROSTHET.
Vein David
Naval
application N.
fit-tell,
Regional
technique D.D.S.,*
Medical
C.
Ray
for
ocular
Anderson,**
Center, San Diego,
prostheses and
Michael
1.
Donnan**
Calif.
_L
he physiologic ocular prosthesis, as fabricated in the Dental Corps of the United States Navy and by others, was documented by Murphy and Schlossbergl as early as 1944, and later by Niiranen.” Today, the technique is basically the same, which speaks very highly for the individuals who first developed the treatment procedure. Comparison of the most recent publication by Bartlett and Moore3 with the earlier articles which describe the technique indicates that changes have been minor and brought about by the availability of new materials (e.g., the use of acrylic resin paints instead of the more difficult to handle water colors). The purpose of this article is to describe another refinement in the basic technique of the placement of veins on the sclera so that the final result will be more predictable and easier to accomplish. BASIC
TECHNIQUE
At present, the technique calls for the use of fibers from the red string found in sterile packages of 4 by 4 inch surgical gauze. This string is cut into 1 cm. lengths and then separated into fibers (Fig. 1). The fibers are then attached to the reduced sclera blank by using a tacky solution of 50 per cent monomer and 50 per cent polymethyl methacrylate referred to as “moly-poly.” (“Moly-poly” must be stored in an airtight bottle, or it will thicken beyond a usable state.) Depending on the dexterity of the user, this method can be highly successful. Problems with this technique can occur when applying the viscous “moly-poly,” creating movements or clumping of the fibers so that they no longer resemble a normal or desired blood-vessel pattern. Dust or other foreign particles common to dental laboratories (i.e., plaster) can settle on the surface of the wet “moly-poly” and may not be detected until the prosthesis is completed, leading to an unacceptable result. The opinions or assertions contained herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Navy. *Captain (DC) USN; Chairman, Department of Dentistry. **Dental Technician, First Class, USN. 192
Vein application
for
ocular
prostheses
193
Fig. 1. Red string is cut into 1 cm. lengths and separated into fibers.
Fig. 2. Apply the fibers with a No. 00 sable-hair brush wetted with water. Fig. 3. After drying, apply a thin coat of clear acrylic resin spray.
To avoid these problems, to make the application of the simulated vessels easier, and to reduce the time required for the process, the following procedures are suggested. MODIFICATIONS ( 1) Apply
IN TECHNIQUE the fibers with
a No. 00 sable-hair
brush dampened
2).
with
water
(Fig.
without forced air, to maintain (2) Allow the prosthesis to dry by evaporation, fiber location. (3) After completion of the drying process, apply a thin coat of a clear acrylic resin spray,* obtainable from most paint stores, sprayed at a distance of 15 to 18 inches (Fig. 3). *Krylon
No. 1301 crystal clear acrylic, Borden, Inc., Columbus, Ohio.
194
Firtell, Anderson, and Donnan
Fig.
4. Completed
vein
application
and
a completed
prosthesis.
(4) After the clear acrylic spray has dried, other procedures are completed as usual (Fig. 4). CAUTION: The iris painting should not be inserted in the prosthesis until after the spray application is completed. Early insertion of the iris painting made with acrylic resin paints could result in distortion of the finer brush strokes on the iris painting or the formation of an air interface. An interface on the surface of the iris creates a mirror in the finished prosthesis. References 1. Murphy, P. J., and Schlossberg, L.: Eye Replacement by Acrylic U. S. Naval Med. Bull. 43: 1085-1099, 1944. 2. Niiranen, J. V.: The Plastic Ocular Prosthesis, U. S. Naval Med. 3. Bartlett, S. O., and Moore, D. J.: Ocular Prosthesis: A Physiologic DENT. 29: 450-459, 1973. NAVAL REGIONAL MEIXCAL SAN DIEGO, CALIF. 92134
CENTER
Maxillofacial
Prosthesis,
Bull. 47: System,
5-22, 1947. J. PROSTHET.
