Custom surgical implants using additive manufacturing

Abstract

Similar to the current developments in dentistry, CAD/CAM and Additive Manufacturing (AM) are getting increasing attention in the medical sector as well. One of the most important medical fields is cranio-maxillofacial surgery where defects of the face (e.g. absence of a nose, ear or eye) have a severe psycho-social impact. Innovative software options and additive manufacturing methods enable the conversion of scans into a virtual three-dimensional model, virtual design of medical parts and subsequent production of these custom implants from a solid or resorbable material.