Secondary reconstruction of the mandible with an aluminum oxide prosthesis.

A case is presented where secondary mandibular reconstruction with an aluminum oxide ceramic prosthesis was performed for a patient who had had an earlier hemimandibulectomy and primary bone graft for management of an ameloblastoma. Various factors that were considered in the construction of the prosthesis and problems encountered during operation are discussed. Although the prosthesis was found to be quite useful for the restoration of facial contour, the results of a long-term follow-up are needed to obtain a final evaluation of the reconstruction.