Neglected aspects of maxillofacial surgery and prosthodontics: an essay on Aleksandr Ilich Stepanov

Today, few are aware of the contributions made by military physician Aleksandr Ilich Stepanov to dentistry, maxillofacial surgery, and military medicine. This essay presents biographical and professional details about A.I. Stepanov, a military physician and prosthodontist whose work had a lasting impact on the field of maxillofacial surgery and dentistry. The article is based on Russian sources in dentistry, maxillofacial surgery, and military medicine. Major A.I. Stepanov is best known as a dentist of the Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry of the Kirov Military Medical Academy. He was a highly skilled prosthodontist, proficient not only in clinical prosthodontics but also in the laboratory fabrication of dental and maxillofacial prostheses and a range of prosthetic appliances used throughout the treatment and dental rehabilitation of patients with oral cancer, as well as in the management of maxillofacial trauma. Among his key contributions was the refinement of a splint for fixation of mandibular fracture fragments originally devised by M.M. Vankevich. Stepanov’s legacy in military health care, as well as dentistry and maxillofacial surgery is substantial and deserves recognition.