Page 30 - Waterfall City Issue 2 February 2025

Waterfall City Health

BEYOND

SMILES

The art and science of
facial prosthetics

By Dr Nadhir Biseswar
MChD – Prosthodontics

F acial prosthetics are a earliest devices found in ancient Egypt

serving both functional and symbolic
remarkable fusion of
purposes. The Greeks and Romans
science and artistry, offering
transformative solutions for
individuals who have experienced improved upon these rudimentary
designs, introducing materials like
facial disfigurement due to trauma, bronze for durability. By the Middle Ages,
congenital conditions, or medical prosthetics evolved into highly crafted
procedures. These prosthetics go wood, leather, and metal tools.
beyond restoring physical appearance
– they help rebuild identity, confidence, In South Africa, the prosthetics field
and functionality, addressing grew significantly during the late 20th
challenges like speaking, eating, or century, particularly in response to war
hearing that patients may face daily. injuries and industrial accidents. Today,
prosthetic advancements are driven by
The journey of prosthetic care is the unique needs of diverse populations,
steeped in history, from its ancient Dr Nadhir Biseswar, Specialist Prosthodontist, with local institutions contributing
Netcare Waterfall City Hospital
origins to today’s cutting-edge to global innovation. Collaborative
innovations. Modern prosthetics have commitment to patient-centred efforts between academic researchers
evolved to incorporate advanced care and technological innovation. and healthcare providers are ensuring
materials, 3D imaging, and precision Facilities such as Netcare Waterfall that prosthetics become increasingly
engineering, enabling prosthodontists City Hospital lead the way in adopting accessible, affordable, and functional.
to craft devices that look and feel state-of-the-art methods, from custom
natural. These innovations restore wax-up models and colour-matching Understanding prosthesis
anatomical features and mitigate the techniques to the integration of metal Facial prosthetics focus on
psychological and emotional toll of frameworks and osseointegrated reconstructing features such as noses,
disfigurement, helping patients regain implants for long-term durability. ears, eyes, and portions of the jaw.
their place in society. These prosthetics are crafted with
History immense care to ensure they mimic
In South Africa, prosthetic The concept of prosthetics dates back the natural anatomy and blend
advancements are driven by a thousands of years, with some of the seamlessly with the patient’s existing

28 Waterfall City Issue 2 2025