Anaplastology
Encyclopedia
Anaplastology is a branch of medicine
dealing with the prosthetic rehabilitation of an absent, disfigured, or malformed anatomically critical location of the face
or body
. The term anaplastology was coined by Walter G. Spohn
and is used worldwide.
An anaplastologist (also known as a maxillofacial prosthetist and technologist
in the UK
) is an individual who has the knowledge and skill set to provide the service of customizing a facial (craniofacial prosthesis
) or somato prosthesis
. In locations around the world where facial and somato prostheses are not readily available, a dentist
who specializes in maxillofacial prosthetics (prosthodontics), a dental technician or an ocularist
, may also be titled an anaplastologist. In urban
or more developed locations, an individual referred to as an anaplastologist is one who solely works with facial and somatic prostheses. In such a setting, there are times the anaplastologist collaborates with prosthodontists and ocularists.
The studies of an anaplastologist consist of the arts and sciences. Visual arts
are studied, namely photography
, illustration
, sculpture
, painting
. Biology
, behavioral sciences, materials science
, and physics
are the studied sciences with emphases in superficial anatomy
and physiology
of humans, polymer science
, optics
, dermatology
, oral and maxillofacial surgery
, otolaryngology
, and oncology
.
Certification in the field of anaplastology is provided by the Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology (BCCA). Professionals certified by the BCCA are designated as Certified Clinical Anaplastologists and denote their credential with the CCA title.
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
dealing with the prosthetic rehabilitation of an absent, disfigured, or malformed anatomically critical location of the face
Face
The face is a central sense organ complex, for those animals that have one, normally on the ventral surface of the head, and can, depending on the definition in the human case, include the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyelashes, eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, temple, teeth, skin, and...
or body
Body
With regard to living things, a body is the physical body of an individual. "Body" often is used in connection with appearance, health issues and death...
. The term anaplastology was coined by Walter G. Spohn
Walter G. Spohn
Walter G. Spohn was the founder of the American Anaplastology Association, and coined the phrase anaplastology. In 2008, the American Anaplastology Association became the International Anaplastology Association....
and is used worldwide.
An anaplastologist (also known as a maxillofacial prosthetist and technologist
Maxillofacial prosthetist and technologist
Maxillofacial prosthetist and technologist is the term used in the United Kingdom for a specialist who delivers facial, ocular and other prostheses which restore form and function to the body.In the United States, this specialty is known as anaplastology....
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) is an individual who has the knowledge and skill set to provide the service of customizing a facial (craniofacial prosthesis
Craniofacial prosthesis
Craniofacial prostheses are prostheses made by individuals trained in anaplastology or maxillofacial prosthodontics who medically help rehabilitate those suffering from facial defects caused by disease , trauma or birth defects...
) or somato prosthesis
Somato prosthesis
Somato Prostheses are custom made breast prostheses, areolas, fingers, partial/total hands, toes, and partial/total feet. Somato prosthetics are created by anaplastologists and limb prosthetists.-External links:*...
. In locations around the world where facial and somato prostheses are not readily available, a dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
who specializes in maxillofacial prosthetics (prosthodontics), a dental technician or an ocularist
Ocularist
An ocularist is someone who specializes in the fabrication and fitting of ocular prostheses for people who have lost an eye or eyes due to trauma or illness...
, may also be titled an anaplastologist. In urban
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
or more developed locations, an individual referred to as an anaplastologist is one who solely works with facial and somatic prostheses. In such a setting, there are times the anaplastologist collaborates with prosthodontists and ocularists.
The studies of an anaplastologist consist of the arts and sciences. Visual arts
Visual arts
The visual arts are art forms that create works which are primarily visual in nature, such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, and often modern visual arts and architecture...
are studied, namely photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
, illustration
Illustration
An illustration is a displayed visualization form presented as a drawing, painting, photograph or other work of art that is created to elucidate or dictate sensual information by providing a visual representation graphically.- Early history :The earliest forms of illustration were prehistoric...
, sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
, painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
. Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, behavioral sciences, materials science
Materials science
Materials science is an interdisciplinary field applying the properties of matter to various areas of science and engineering. This scientific field investigates the relationship between the structure of materials at atomic or molecular scales and their macroscopic properties. It incorporates...
, and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
are the studied sciences with emphases in superficial anatomy
Superficial anatomy
Superficial anatomy is a descriptive science dealing with anatomical features that can be studied by sight, without dissecting an organism...
and physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
of humans, polymer science
Polymer science
Polymer science or macromolecular science is the subfield of materials science concerned with polymers, primarily synthetic polymers such as plastics...
, optics
Optics
Optics is the branch of physics which involves the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. Optics usually describes the behavior of visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light...
, dermatology
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
, oral and maxillofacial surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is surgery to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. It is an internationally recognized surgical specialty...
, otolaryngology
Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology or ENT is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck disorders....
, and oncology
Oncology
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
.
Certification in the field of anaplastology is provided by the Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology (BCCA). Professionals certified by the BCCA are designated as Certified Clinical Anaplastologists and denote their credential with the CCA title.