So, here’s a big secret. An artificial jaw was implanted in an 83 year old patient. Not only did this operation occur a year ago in the Netherlands (June 2011), but the jaw was produced by a 3D printer. [If you want even more information about 3D printers, search for 3D in the index to the right.] The first jaw transplant in North America was performed in 2006- and in that case the patient had the donated jaw reside in his back muscles for 8 months to insure biocompatibility.
This implant was produced from titanium- heated and fused, layer by layer, via a laser printer. More to the point, these layers were about 33 microns deep (i.e., it took 33 layers to produce 1 mm depth of the jaw bone). As such, this “printed” jaw took several hours to complete (and months of design time). The surgical portion of the effort was headed by Dr. Jules Poukens of the Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Belgium on the computer). The actual “printing” was performed at LayerWise (under the direction of Ruben Wauthle, medical applications engineer), a specialty metals manufacturer (Belgium) whose dental product line division (Dentwise, no longer in business [2020]) already had sophisticated design software.
Keep in mind that the jaw is not just a bone- but a complex system of articulated joints, cavities for muscle attachment, and grooves to afford neural and circulatory connections. So, the 3D digital design needed to be reduced to multiple two-dimensional layers, which were printed on the device. Upon completion, the jawbone received a high-temperature plasma spray with a bioceramic coating to insure biocompatiblity. The surgical operation took about 4 hours, which compares very favorably to the 20 hours of reconstructive surgery that a more conventional approach would require. The difference in operational time is a result of the perfect fit for the manufactured parts.
The synthetic jaw weights 107 g, which is more than the weight of the original jaw of the patient (which became infected, requiring the transplant). It also accommodates screw-in tooth implants.
How wicked cool is this! I’d say VERY wicked cool! Also the more I hear and read about the new 3D printer technology the more I am in love. I have a feeling medicine in general is going to be changed as they explore the limits of the printer. Pretty neat, and I am so thankful for the person who allowed the jaw to be implanted. Experimental therapies are essential and for people to take that first step, I applaud them. Great article Dr. A…very uplifting!
Lisa Brandel recently posted..The Painted Lady by Lisa Brandel
I am surprised you don’t have a small one yourself, Lisa. They could come in handy for some art projects!
Amazing technology and very cool video!
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Glad you liked them both, Tor!
I find this so interesting. I know you have blogged about these printers before. I emailed your article to my hubby who is a CAD/CAM Engineer and does the same type of work with a computer.
shawn recently posted..Path To A New Future
This type of technology is becoming more and more prevalent, Shawn. I am simply floored at some of the results from these relatively cheaply priced units.
Wow, this drew my attention. I’ve been procrastinating getting dental implants. I need two and I get squeamish about dental surgery or work. Yikes, this puts it in perspective. Mine shouldn’t be too bad at all 🙂 Wow, technology!
Lisa recently posted..Easy For You to Say…
You certainly don’t want to wait until you need a jaw implant, Lisa!
Holey Moley, this is too cool! I had heard about 3D printers before, but didn’t know they were quite this far along. Awesome information, Roy! Thanks for sharing.
Gregory
Gregory McGuire recently posted..What’s Really Important In Your Network Marketing Business?
Gregory-
Thanks for the visit AND the comment.
And, yes, 3D printers are now where laser printers were in the mid-80’s…Big, clunky, and operational. One can hope they’ll become like the lasers of the 90’s soon!
Roy
HI, Roy! I learned at least five new things with this post, including that plasma spray with bioceramic coating could make titanium biocompatible. Now, I would also like to know how to avoid getting my jab infected.
Gustavo recently posted..Largest animal in the world
Gustavo:
Yes, that is scary- getting one’s bones infected. It comes from not taking care when we fall or break the skin. It can come from a dental infection that festers. As they used to say when I was young- Brush, brush, brush your teeth (with Ipana)… And, don’t forget to add some oral wash, too!
Roy
That is so cool! It’s amazing what technology can do these days!
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Debbie:
I think technology has always been cool for what it does in each age. It’s when we look back- and don’t realize (or have forgotten) what things were like before that technology arrived that we say- “eh”…
Roy
Well I watched the video Roy, but didn’t expect the surprise ending. Oh my! but, still have to say it is amazing what technology can do these days. And the incredible precision and the reduced time for the operation. Just amazing!
Lynn Brown recently posted..Leverage Your Business With The Top Social Network Sites
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Lynn… And, thrilled that you were amazed… that gets harder to do in today’s world…
Roy
Don’t forget to mention the company that designed this complex jaw… You can see the logo in the picture (Xilloc Medical). Thx.
Erik:
I am so sorry that Xilloc (www.Xilloc.com) was omitted!
Roy
Learning new things that can give help to designs a good variations.
Glad you liked the post, Stanley
This is way too awesome. I’m only in my early 20’s so this means that when I reach 80+ (I hope I’m still alive and kicking at this age) I can also have a jaw implant if ever I needed it and I’m sure when I reach 80 dental implants will surely be better than today… 😀
Dental insurance with no waiting period recently posted..What is In-Office Bleaching?
I am not sure that waiting until 80 is the answer! Nor, should insurance be willing to pay for such a procedure at that age. There is a cost-benefit consideration… Cut your wait time by about 20 years, and I’m with you.
Wow!!! it so interesting and I enjoyed it also. I know 3D printing is very much use in these time for it’s better techniques in dental area and it helps to make their stress low to dentist. I know implanting is not an easy task for any one but I think using spray and these technologies everything will be fine.
Yes, your profession is one where this technology will provide great benefit.
Thanks for your comment and your visit.
I would wish to say thanks for putting out this info here for everyone because I possess no estimate about the dental implants. The history of implants is really makes my knowledge on the top. I heard a lot about the printing technology and its uses also because my elder brother is pursuing his career as a dentist by profession and he told me that. I want to say a good luck to dental world.
Sounds like a plan. I’m guessing the use of 3D printing will make your profession much more in demand- instead of waiting weeks for a crown or an implant, you can deliver one the same day. Which is what most folks want- the problem handled efficiently, reasonably priced, and quickly. Good luck.