Dr. Nicholas Bastidas
Non-Surgical Ear Molding of Infant Ears
Corrective treatment for ear deformities.
Providing ear molding, Microtia-related surgical interventions and similar ear reconstruction procedures since 2005. We offer ear molding and ear reconstruction surgery for our patients in NYC, NJ, Westchester and Long Island.
Over 1500 ear molding corrections performed to date!
Non-Surgical Ear Molding for Infants & Ear Reconstruction Surgery
Dr. Nicholas Bastidas, M.D., performs the latest in both non-surgical ear molding and ear reconstructive surgery to restore the functional architecture and beauty of a full-sized ear. Whether your child is born with abnormally large ears, folded ears, small or absent ears (Microtia), Dr. Bastidas can correct the ear and restore function. Depending on the severity of your child’s ear deformities, infant ear molding or microtia surgery can be performed.
What is Ear Molding?
Ear molding is a simple, non-operative way to correct for abnormally shaped or prominent ears if your baby’s ears stick out, your baby’s ears are folded, or your baby’s ears have deformities. Newborns and infants have soft, pliable cartilage in their ears, which can be reshaped using gentle forces. Ear molding applies a constant re-directive force to the cartilage to bend back, unfurl, and improve the position and structure.
I currently use the EarWell device, which is a custom made for this purpose and consists of a soft silicone shell. The device is perforated to allow for your baby to hear normally during the process.
What is EarWell™?
Dr. Bastidas uses the EarWell™ device, which is custom-made to reshape your baby’s ear and consists of a soft silicone shell. The device is perforated to allow for your baby to hear normally during the process.
How Does Ear Molding Work?
Since the EarWell™ device is made with a posterior shell and soft rubber retractors, it is able to easily mold the pliable cartilage on your baby’s ear into the desired shape. The device must be worn for 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the age of your baby and the amount of reshaping that needs to be done.
Is Ear Molding Effective?
Ear molding is very effective, with more than 90% of all ear deformities being completely corrected. This technique is also known for preventing the need for future operations.
What Are the Risks of Treatment?
Infant ear molding with the EarWell™ device has minimal risks associated with it. These risks include skin irritation or skin rashes.
What To Expect During Your Ear Molding Appointment
During your initial consultation, Dr. Bastidas will take a full medical history of your baby and perform a physical exam. If your baby is a candidate for ear molding, Dr. Bastidas will apply the EarWell™ device to the ear during this appointment.
This is a completely painless, simple process that is completed within a few short steps:
- Dr. Bastidas will shave the hair around your baby’s ear and clean the area.
- The device is applied. A built-in adhesive enables the device to stick to your baby’s skin.
- Your baby’s ear is placed in the desired position and shape using a soft silicone retainer and conchal conformer. Further tape is applied to prevent the device from falling off as well as a protective cover.
What To Expect After Your Ear Molding Appointment
A follow-up exam will be performed 2 weeks after the ear molding device is applied. The follow-ups will continue until your baby’s ear has achieved the desired shape. Sometimes Dr. Bastidas will continue the process with only double-sided tape to fine-tune the results for an additional week.
If ear molding is started when your baby is greater than 3 weeks old, the process is continued for 4 to 6 weeks until the desired result is achieved.
Ear Reconstruction Surgery with Allograft Rib Cartilage (Real-Ear Technique)
For children with small or absent ears (Microtia), or adults with ear abnormalities (from cancer or trauma), Dr. Bastidas has created a world-renowned technique that utilizes the advantages of previous cartilage methods and synthetics to create the perfect ear. His technique combines the benefits of the traditional Rib Ear Reconstruction and Medpor Reconstruction techniques.
Dr. Bastidas uses cadaveric cartilage to reconstruct the ear, which has no significant risk of rejection and is completely safe. This allows Dr. Bastidas to reconstruct an ear starting at age 4 or 5 years old, without implants, without need for a scar on the chest, without significant pain, and as a 2-hour outpatient operation. Additionally, the reconstructed ear will have sensation and will be resistant to infections and blunt trauma in the future (unlike prosthetic ears).
Dr. Bastidas can sculpt your new ear using cadaveric rib cartilage from the Musculoskeletal Tissue Foundation (MTF) and implant the construct allowing for real cartilage to be used in your ear reconstruction or your child’s ear reconstruction.
This option was previously unavailable to adults, as their cartilage calcifies and gets hard with time and therefore can not be sculpted. With Dr. Bastidas’ technique, ears lost from cancers, traumas, or birth defects in both adults and children can be reconstructed without any issue.
Previous methods required children to wait for the procedure until they were older (8-10 years old), causing psychological stress during the formative years. In addition, the surgeries could lead to hair loss, involve painful procedures, and require long hospital stays.
With Dr. Bastidas’ Real-Ear Reconstruction Technique:
- Real cartilage is used to reconstruct the ear (no medpor/plastic is used)
- There is minimal pain (only Motrin and Tylenol are needed) – your child can go to school within 2 days
- The outpatient procedure lasts less than 2 hours (minimal anesthesia exposure)
- Ears can be reconstructed as early as age 4
- Both adults and children can benefit from the reconstruction
In August 2020, Dr. Bastidas performed the world’s first non-immunogenic biologic ear reconstruction using processed cadaveric cartilage from the Musculoskeletal Tissue Foundation. Patients come from around the world to receive reconstructive treatment from Dr. Bastidas.
Expertise in Ear Molding and Ear Reconstruction Surgery:
Dr. Nicholas Bastidas
Dr. Nicholas Bastidas has been providing ear molding, Microtia-related surgical interventions and similar ear reconstruction procedures since 2005. His experienced, gentle approach can correct the ear problem, and ensure your child has the best chance to thrive as they grow. Traditionally, he has used both rib and medpor based ear reconstruction techniques before developing his Real-Ear technique.
Dr. Bastidas is a Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who specializes in the treatment of Microtia and ear abnormalities. He is a native New Yorker and is fluent in both English and conversational Spanish. As a graduate of the prestigious New York University (NYU) Medical School, he received his Medical Doctorate (M.D.) with distinguished honors in cell biology research after defending a thesis on vascular stem cell biology. He was then accepted into the NYU combined Plastic Surgery program (an accelerated six-year residency) where he performed reconstructive and aesthetic surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center, Bellevue Hospital, and Manhattan Eye and Ear Infirmary.
To date, he is the recipient of four research grants, including one from the National Institute of Health. He is the author of over 45 peer-reviewed publications and has presented his research at national and regional plastic surgery meetings.
Our Convenient Locations
EarsNY is composed of our team of Ear Molding specialists who collectively have done over 1500 ear molding procedures. Our team includes: Nicholas Bastidas, MD , Robin Rivera, NP, and Lindsey Bernoskie, NP. We are all board certified and have trained to provide the best care possible for your newborn. We have authored several publications and have presented our research at National and International medical conferences.
We currently have three locations where we can provide ear molding and ear reconstruction surgery for our patients in NYC, NJ, Westchester, and Long Island. We are able to get our patients in immediately for treatment and we are IN-NETWORK with most major commercial insurances. We have experience in treating all types of ear deformities at both the NYC and the Long Island ear molding locations. These deformities include: Lop ear, Stahl ear, Constricted Ear, Cryptotia, Prominent Ear, Conchal Crus, and Cupped Ear.
The NYC location is our newest addition and is located on Park Avenue on the corner of 70th Street. Our rooms are clean and modern and calming for your baby. Many of our patients from NJ, NYC and Westchester choose this location for its proximity.
Our Long Island location frequently serves both Nassau and Suffolk counties. We offer valet parking and our facility is stroller-friendly. We provide our patients with our cell phone number and allow ease of communication. We are dedicated to our families, have the most experience, and provide the best care possible. Ear molding and ear reconstruction are our passion.
Our Locations
NYC Location
715 Park Avenue, Suite 2
New York, NY 10021
(212) 485-0616
Long Island Location
1991 Marcus Ave, Suite 102
Lake Success, NY 11042
(516) 497-7900
NJ Location
725 river road #208
Edgewater, NJ 07020
(516) 497-7900