Making You Whole Again
Maxillofacial prosthetics is a subspecialty of prosthodontics that involves the rehabilitation of patients with facial defects or disabilities that were present at birth or developed due to disease or trauma
Life Changing Rehabilitation
Learn about Dr. Brecht’s approach to maxillofacial procedures at NYCPros
Understanding Maxillofacial Prosthetics
Led by Dr. Brecht, the team at NYCPros understands the unique clinical and psychosocial challenges patients with facial differences experience. We care for each patient with the utmost empathy and work tirelessly to achieve the best possible functional and esthetic result. Our goal is for patients to feel self-assured, confident, and free to live life and function with ease.
Dr. Brecht is personally committed to patients with facial differences. He serves as President of the non-profit association NextGenFace (link to nextgenface.org) and is also the president of the Maxillofacial Foundation. Many on our team also volunteer with NextGenFace and support fundraising events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nasoalveolar molding is a non-surgical treatment used in advance of cleft lip and palate surgery to improve the final result – both esthetically and functionally. Prior to surgery, NAM treatment gradually reshapes the nose and approximates the disparate parts of the palate and lip. The goal is to reduce the number of surgeries and close as much space as possible, ensuring shorter healing time and reducing potential scarring to a minimum.
Dr. Brecht was part of the team that developed the NAM concept and technique and has the most years of experience in its application of anyone in active practice worldwide. He volunteers his time to teach this molding technique to maxillofacial prosthodontists at various leading institutions worldwide.
At NYCProsthodontics, families of infants who need cleft care become our family. We have put together a close-knit team of specialized, experienced, professionals who treat the infant and accompany the parents along the journey. Our team is available 24 hours a day, and includes:
Patients born with cleft lip and palate often need specialized dental care throughout their life that is tailored to work in conjunction with their unique oral structures with the goal of improving function and optimizing esthetics.
Patients that typically need facial prosthetic care have experienced damage to their facial structures due to an accident or due to surgical removal of diseased tissues. In other instances, a prosthesis for the face may be indicated for cosmetic and psychosocial reasons. Children can also be born without full development of ears, teeth or palate and need specialized care.
In collaboration with and under the supervision of Dr. Brecht, anaplastologist Elise Schmidt creates facial prosthetics. Infusing her years of experience and her exceptional talent as a multimedia artist into life-like facial prostheses, she delivers exceptionally natural looking results with a clean and functional fit.
Intraoral prostheses are often needed to replace missing areas of bone or tissue and restore oral functions such as swallowing, speech and chewing. Maxillofacial Prosthodontists work collaboratively with ENTs, oral surgeons, plastic surgeons, radiation oncologists, and speech pathologists to improve the quality of life for these special patients.
For patients with either a benign or malignant tumor of the upper or lower jaw, within the same day’s surgical procedure the effected area can be removed, replaced with grafted bone from the patient’s own body, and the new jaw implanted with dental implants and replacement teeth.
Dr. Brecht was part of the team of three doctors who developed and perfected this complex surgical procedure to be of better service to patients with tumors of the oral cavity by providing optimal function and esthetics starting with the day of surgery. JIAD allows the patient to begin recovering, healing, and functioning the moment surgery is completed.
Patient Testimonial: Abby
“I was being treated for a cleft lip and palate. I had it when I was a baby so I had known Dr. Brecht since before I was born. I felt at home and it felt like I was with people who really knew me and understood my story. I feel like now at the end of it after working with Dr. Brecht and everyone, it feels so good. I can smile. I can take pictures and not worry about it. And I’m so happy.”