Application of Computer-Assisted Design and Manufacturing–Fabricated Artificial Bone in the Reconstruction of Craniofacial Bone Defects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of individual craniofacial bone fabrications using computer-assisted design (CAD)-computer-assisted manufacturing technology for the reconstruction of craniofacial bone defects. A total of 8 patients diagnosed with craniofacial bone defects were enrolled in this study between May 2007 and August 2010. After computed tomography scans were obtained, the patients were fitted with artificial bone that was created using CAD software, rapid prototyping technology, and epoxy-methyl acrylate resin and hydroxyapatite materials. The fabrication was fixed to the defect area with titanium screws, and soft tissue defects were repaired if necessary. The fabrications were precisely fixed to the defect areas, and all wounds healed well without any serious complications except for 1 case with intraoral incision dehiscence, which required further treatment. Postoperative curative effects were retrospectively observed after 6 to 48months, acceptable anatomic and cosmetic outcomes were obtained, and no rejections or other complications occurred. The use of CAD-computer-assisted manufacturing technology-assisted epoxy-methyl acrylate resin and hydroxyapatite composite artificial bone to treat patients with craniofacial bone defects could enable the precise reconstruction of these defects and obtain good anatomic and cosmetic outcomes.