3D Printing of Customized Implants for Treatment of Orofacial Deformities and Defects

Abstract

Acute or refractory orofacial deformities and defects present surgeons with numerous reconstructive challenges.Such defects are currently reconstructed using microvascular free flaps, non‐vascular autogenous bone and/or skin grafts, or reconstruction with xenografts or synthetic materials. Using these methods, surgeons are constrained by the size and complexity of the defect; defects larger than 5 cm are difficult to reconstruct with these techniques, so are those defects that involve the anterior mandibular region. Lack of predictability of graft success, as well as the lack of predictability of the esthetic and functional outcome of a non‐vascular grafting makes it necessary to use a vascularized free flap in many of these cases. Such procedures are lengthy and challenging despite the improvements in the technology and the techniques. Patients experience long recovery periods and are exposed to related perioperative morbidities that increase health care costs, increase time lost from work, and negatively affect the patients’ quality of life.3D printing is currently being intensely studied by a diverse set of applications, including the development of bioengineered tissues, as well as the production of functional biomedical materials and devices for dental and orthopedic applications. Producing vascularized 3D‐printed customized implants/scaffolds that are infused with stem cells, and designed to replace many of the traditional surgical procedures can be considered as a new method to treat orofacial deformities and defects. These implants/scaffolds will be tailored to meet the patient's current condition, age, and prior medical history and designed for tension free soft tissue closure, enhanced vascularity and tissue formation, and the prevention of micromobilityWe anticipate that this method will significantly improve the quality of the life of patients affected by numerous oral and craniofacial pathologic conditions.