101 Egnatia St., Thessaloniki Contracted with EOPYY (Greek national health insurer)
Orthoses & braces

Protective nose and face masks: carbon and 3D printing

We make custom protective masks for the nose and cheekbones, in carbon fibre or 3D printed, for athletes who want to return to their sport safely after a facial fracture.

  • Custom made to fit your face
  • Carbon from a cast, or 3D printed from a scan
  • Protects the nose, cheekbones and upper jaw
  • Designed not to restrict your vision
  • 3D mask ready in up to 3 days
An athlete wearing a carbon protective mask for the nose and cheekbones, made to fit his face

A broken nose or cheekbone does not necessarily mean a long time away from the pitch or court. With your doctor's approval, a protective nose mask made to fit your face may allow you to return to training and competition. At Hlamidis Orthopaedic Center we make masks using two technologies: carbon fibre and 3D printing.

Who it is for

  • Athletes with a broken nose or a facial fracture who want to get back into action.
  • The recovery period after facial surgery, when your doctor allows it.
  • Injury prevention in contact sports such as football and basketball.

The mask helps protect the face from injuries to the upper jaw, the nose, the cheekbone and the eye socket.

Carbon protective mask

The carbon mask is made from a cast taken of your face. Carbon fibre gives a thin but very strong structure. A strap at the back of the head holds the mask comfortably in place and stops it from shifting, while foam padding is added wherever it is needed, for a tailored, comfortable fit.

3D-printed protective mask

A 3D mask is designed digitally on your face, without a cast. The process has four steps:

  1. 3D scan: we scan your face so that the mask fits precisely.
  2. 3D design: using 3D modelling software, we design the mask for your face and your sport.
  3. 3D printing: the mask is printed on a 3D printer.
  4. Delivery: the mask is ready in up to 3 days.
3D model of a protective nose mask designed on a digital scan of the face
The 3D mask is designed digitally on the scan of your face.

The process for a carbon mask

  1. Doctor's approval: your doctor decides when you can return to sport with a mask.
  2. Taking a cast: we take a cast of your face so that the mask follows its shape.
  3. Manufacture: the mask is made from carbon fibre in our workshop.
  4. Trial and adjustments: we add foam padding where needed and adjust the strap for a secure fit.

What to tell us when you call

To help you quickly, tell us which part of your face was injured, whether you have your doctor's approval, which sport you play and when your next match is. We can then suggest whether a carbon mask or a 3D mask is the better fit.

Masks for football and basketball

In football, headers and aerial challenges, and in basketball, elbows in the rebound, are the usual risks for a face recovering from a fracture. The mask is designed to cover the nose and cheekbones, stay stable when you run and jump, and leave your field of vision clear.

Why a custom mask rather than an off-the-shelf one?

A mask made for your own face fits better, stays stable when you move and is designed not to restrict your field of vision. This matters a great deal for a footballer or basketball player, who needs to see the ball and opponents without obstruction. Off-the-shelf masks cannot be adapted in the same way and often get in the way of your vision.

Carbon or 3D: which should I choose?

Both masks are custom made, thin and light. The choice depends on where the injury is, your sport and how much time you have until your next match. Come in and we will talk it through; we will suggest the solution that suits you, always in line with your doctor's instructions.

See also the sports supports we stock, our 3D printing solutions and all our orthoses and braces.

Need a mask quickly? Call +30 2310 282 894 or contact us to book an appointment. We will do everything we can to get you ready for your next match.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can’t find your answer? Our prosthetists are happy to help.

Contact
Can I play football with a broken nose?

That is for your doctor to decide. If you get the go-ahead, a protective football mask made to your measurements helps protect your nose and cheekbones from another knock, without restricting your vision. We make it in carbon fibre or with 3D printing.

How long does it take to make a protective face mask?

A 3D-printed mask is ready in up to 3 days from the face scan. For a carbon mask, the time depends on taking the cast and the manufacture; call us on +30 2310 282 894 and we will tell you when it could be ready for your match.

What is the difference between a carbon mask and a 3D mask?

A carbon mask is made from carbon fibre, from a cast of your face. A 3D mask is designed digitally on a scan of your face and printed on a 3D printer. Both are custom made, thin and light. We will discuss which one suits you based on your injury and your sport.

Does a face mask affect your vision?

Because it is made for your own face, the mask is designed not to restrict your field of vision. This is a key advantage over off-the-shelf masks, which often obstruct an athlete's view. During the trial fitting we check with you that you can see comfortably in every direction.

Which sports is a protective face mask suitable for?

Any sport where your face could take a knock, such as football and basketball. We design it with your sport in mind, so that it stays stable and comfortable while you move. The carbon mask is held in place by a strap at the back of the head, which stops it from shifting.

Related

Smiling little girl standing on the grass wearing white 3D-printed paediatric AFO braces inside her shoes

3D-printed paediatric AFO and SMO braces

Thin, lightweight ankle-foot braces for children, designed from a 3D scan and printed on a 3D printer, so that your child can feel the difference with every step.

We work with the leading manufacturers

  • ISO 13485
  • ISO 9001
  • DQS
  • Ottobock
  • Össur
  • Endolite
  • Schein Orthopädie Service
  • Teufel

Get back to your sport safely

Call +30 2310 282 894 to book an appointment for a face cast or 3D face scan.

Call now Book an appointment