First consultation
Our patients are at the very heart of our preoccupations. They are sent to us by a doctor. During the first consultation, we conduct an individual assessment together. We listen to what our patients have to say and explain the various prosthetic reconstruction options. Depending on the technical and medical limitations, different forms of attaching the prosthesis can be taken into consideration. In collaboration with the medical team and taking into account the patient’s wishes and the morphology of the site, we offer a means of attachment that is safe and appropriate for the prosthesis.
Once the decisions have been made, an appointment schedule is drawn up.
Digital phases
A digital impression is made for each of our patients with a surface scanner. This enables us to print out the patient’s face in resin with the aim of harmonising the sculpture of the future prosthesis and restoring the patient’s facial symmetry.
Furthermore, it enables us to capture the symmetry for an ear or an open eye with eyelids with the aim of printing out the missing part symmetrically.
Analogical phases
Making the impression
An impression is required to make sure the future prosthesis is perfectly positioned.
This includes the retention system under the sculpture. For an auricular prosthesis, an impression of the natural ear acts as a reference to sculpt the outer ear on the other side of the face.
Sculpture
A wax copy is made from the 3-D resin model. It is then positioned on the retention system (magnets), tested and then adjusted on the patient. The edges are finished off while the patient is wearing the prosthesis.
Colouring phases
Creating a bespoke colour chart
Through our artistic expertise, we can finely blend all the colour nuances specific to each patient.
We mix each silicone with natural pigments and textile fibres by hand in order to reproduce each patient’s specific complexion to perfection. In this way we obtain a formula of all the colours present in the skin - including tiny veins and beauty spots.
Silicones
Our prostheses are made from a combination of ultra-pure medical silicones. For each patient, we use several silicones to meet a number of criteria (suppleness, surface resistance, flexibility for the mobile areas).
Applying the silicones in the mould
Coloured silicones are painted layer by layer in the mould to obtain the translucent appearance of the skin and give the prosthesis a natural, life-like appearance.
This is a crucial stage to ensure the prosthesis blends naturally into the face.
The perfect life-like nature of our prostheses stems from the combination of our artistic expertise and our technical experience.
Delivering the prosthesis
Finishing touches to the prosthesis
The mould is closed, pressed and baked in the oven for several hours. Once the baking process is over, the mould is opened. The edges are meticulously trimmed to ensure the smoothest possible transition between the skin and the silicone.
Sometimes finishing touches to the colouring (small veins, freckles, beauty spots etc.) are painted onto the prosthesis to make it perfectly life-like. They are then fixed into the silicones.
The prosthesis is adjusted on the patient. For an orbital prosthesis, natural hair is inserted to make the eyelashes and eyebrows.
After some exercises on how to put the prosthesis into place, the patient starts to become familiar with their new prosthesis. Together, we discuss a few practical issues.