Fabrication and use of a surgical template for placing implants to retain an auricular prosthesis

A procedure is described for the fabrication of a 3-dimensional surgical te mplate to guide the placement of implants to retain an auricular prosthesis . This procedure requires a diagnostic wax pattern that is checked while on the patient to ensure it is positioned correctly and is also the correct s ize. The wax pattern is processed into a clear, methyl methacrylate resin, a-dimensional surgical template. The most effective type of surgical templa te for planning implant placement is a 3-dimensional acrylic template that closely resembles the final prosthesis. This template will direct the impla nt placement where the retentive elements are most easily concealed, under the thickest areas of the prosthesis, which are the antihelix and antitragu s. This location allows the best esthetic and functional results. An additi onal advantage of this technique is that it allows the retrieval of the dia gnostic wax pattern of the auricle so that it can be used to fabricate the definitive prosthesis.