Nose prosthesis

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A nose prosthesis is a craniofacial prosthesis for someone who no longer has their original nose.^[1] Nose prostheses are designed by anaplastologists who have their patients referred to them by ear, nose, and throat doctors and plastic surgeons.

Unlike the more common nasal operation called a rhinoplasty, which is the reconstruction of the nose using existing tissue, a prosthetic nose implantation requires the nose to be made completely from synthetic material. Prior to getting a nose prosthesis implanted, any original nose structure is removed via a rhinectomy in order to accommodate the prosthesis.^[1] One of the biggest challenges for anaplastologists in constructing a nose prosthesis is finding the right material to use for the nose, as it's a complex organ with several distinct functions and a unique structure. The major functions of the nose include the sense of smell (olfaction), filtered breathing, and alteration of speech. All of these tasks can be completed due to the nose’s network of bones, cartilage, and muscle, which also helps to keep the nose stable on the face. Although there are currently usable prosthetic noses, they only have temporary functionality. Advancements in areas such as 3D-printing have medical professionals hoping to create noses that are as efficient as the real ones.