What is Prosthetics? Anaplastology?

Prosthetic is a general term referring to an artificial or man-made part of the body. The term “Prosthetics” is often associated with the field of prosthetic limbs (artificial arms and legs). However; dentures, plastic eyes, mastectomy forms, wigs and artificial hip joints are all prostheses too. Each kind of prosthesis is generally created by a different type of practitioner. Anaplastology (coined by Dr.Walter Spohn circa 1980) is a newer term also referring to the art and science of restoring the body with prosthetic materials. In contrast to prosthetic dentistry, ocularistry or limb prosthetics, anaplastology is highly diverse and adaptive to patient conditions involving many parts of the body. Therefore, its practitioners are highly diverse in their education, training and talent. Today’s anaplastologists often provide prosthetic restorations of external soft tissue structures of the face, hand, foot, breast or other area of the body. Anaplastologists often team with other prosthetic specialists like prosthodontists or physicians to prepare custom prosthetic devices, some for surgical implantation in the body.