Maxillofacial Prosthesis Materials: Current Challenges and Effect of Tropical Environment on Physico-Mechanical Properties

Maxillofacial prosthesis play an important role in the rehabilitation of patients with facial defects resulting from trauma, surgery or congenital anomalies. This review article discusses different categories of materials including acrylic resin, vinyl polymer, chlorinated polyethylene, polyurethane and silicone elastomers and highlights their advantages and limitations. In particular, the current materials used in maxillofacial prosthetics, i.e. silicone material, RTV (room-temperature vulcanized) silicone and HTV (high-temperature vulcanized) silicone are highlighted focusing on the prevailing challenges and their physico-mechanical properties for maxillofacial prosthesis application. Finally, the effect of tropical climate and further perspectives on RTV and HTV based maxillofacial materials are critically discussed to motivate potential research in this area.