What is a prosthesis?

Informational Article...

A prosthesis is an artificial replacement for a portion of the body that is missing or disfigured. Facial prostheses commonly replace missing eyes, noses, ears, or entire sections of the face. Somato prostheses replace missing fingers, toes, hands,etc.

Most facial and somato prostheses are made of silicone elastomer, a resilient, flexible type of rubber that can be intrinsically colored to match the skin tone and simulate the feel of soft tissues. Silicone is resistant to high and low temperatures, is readily repaired if damaged, and is one of the few materials which is tolerated by the human body.
A dermatological reaction is rarely, if ever caused by the material.

Prostheses are retained through a variety of methods. The four most widely used methods are
1. Using medical adhesives or tapes.
2. Suction (fingers).
3. Attaching the prosthesis to glasses.
4. Magnets or clips attaching to bone-anchored implants- the latest method of attaching and holding a prosthesis correctly and securely in place.

Other types of prostheses
(NOT made by Custom Prosthetic, Ltd.) include oculars (artificial eyes), prosthetics and orthotics (limbs), obturators and dental prosthetics, heart valves, and knee and hip joints.