This is a three-dimensional model of the reconstruction of the nose, lips and chin for the first partial face transplantation. Photo: Associated Press/ Chu Lyon

The first face transplant was performed by Dr. Bernard Devauchelle in Amiens, France, on Dec. 2, 2005. Engineers designed a silicone prosthetic mask to fit the brain-dead donor's face after the lips, nose and chin were removed. The prosthetic had the same stiffness, color and shape as the donor's face. See slideshow.

Other advances on the facial prosthetic frontier come from former CIA disguise specialist Robert Barron. Barron is committed to restoring identities through prosthetics. He produces custom-made body parts — eyes, ears, noses, fingers and full faces — for patients with conditions resulting from trauma, disease and congenital defects. Barron established his company, Custom Prosthetic Design, Inc., in 1993, but he's been working with prosthetics for three decades. His process begins with an impression to duplicate the affected area. A clay sculpture re-creates the appearance of the natural anatomy. The sculpture is molded and silicone is cast to replicate the image. The prosthesis is then hand painted and tinted to visually blend with its surrounding area.