Facial reconstruction research under way

Washington鈥擳he national investment in military dental research “translates into an immense difference for the wounded who can once again look into the mirror and see a familiar face,” the Association told Congress.

Testifying June 4 at a Senate defense appropriations hearing, the Association urged an increase in the research budget and described research under way at military facilities on facial reconstruction and the wounds of war.

• Navy dentists at Great Lakes, Ill., are working to develop better materials to replace facial skin, ears and noses.
• Dentists at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center are fashioning skulls and facial bones using synthetic polymers and titanium mesh screens.
• Navy dental researchers are working to establish a program that would take a pre-deployment 3-D CT scan of every war fighter; dentists who fabricate cranial implants and facial structures could work from the images for more exact replacements.
• With appropriated funds, the Army has developed a lightweight face shield to reduce if not prevent injury; a final prototype is nearing completion for field trials.

These and other research projects were described by Dr. Keith Suchy in oral testimony and in more detailed written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee. Dr. Suchy chairs the Council on Government Affairs. The Senate subcommittee invited ADA testimony on the importance of funding military dental research.