How Can A Skull Indentation Be Fixed?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have been doing a lot of research to find out ways to fix an indentation I have on the left side of my skull and I read on your website about a procedure that you do using kryptonite bone cement to reshape irregularities in the skull. These irregularities were caused from birth. I would like to send you some pictures to see if my problem can be corrected using this method. Also other then overcorrection are their any other risks with this type of surgery? Another question I have is does insurance cover it, or is it considered purely cosmetic.

A: Of the available cranioplasty materials, Kryptonite is no longer available for use. The company that produced it has withdrawn it for any further sale currently. Therefore, there is no longer any injectable approach to skull augmentation or indentation correction. An open cranioplasty incision would be needed to place any of the other cranioplasty materials. Other than the scar, minor contour issues remain as the only risk. Skull reshaping or indentation correction is not a procedure that would be covered by insurance.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana