The Impact of 3D Printing on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract

3D printing technology has driven major medical, dental, engineering, and education innovations. In oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), 3D printing technology has been implemented to improve precision in treatment planning, increase surgical predictability, reduce operation times, and lower overall costs. Furthermore, 3D printing has opened access to surgical training, facilitated patient-physician relationships, and generated greater surgical outcomes. The aim of this review is to summarize the impact of 3D printing technology in the field of OMFS. We discuss its many applications in the management of maxillofacial trauma and reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, maxillofacial prosthodontics, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction, dental implants (3D-printed surgical guides and 3D-printed dental implants), bone tissue engineering for maxillofacial regeneration, clinical education, and patient communication.

3D Printing Approach in Maxillofacial Surgery in Iran: An Evaluation Using the Non-Adoption, Abandonment, Scale-Up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) Framework

“…The high costs associated with advanced materials and equipment, the need for specialized training for healthcare professionals to effectively utilize this technology, and concerns regarding the protection of patient data during the creation of personalized surgical aids are significant hurdles. Overcoming these obstacles is crucial for the successful application of 3D printing in surgery [32].…”

“…By producing accurate and customized models, surgeons can better plan and perform complex surgeries, leading to better patient outcomes [16,[28][29][30][31][32][33]. Data adapted from [24].…”

Occlusal Indicators - A Step Towards Betterment

“…This level of personalization enhances the fit, function, and aesthetics of implants. 11 •Augmented Reality (AR) in Treatment Planning: AR technology is increasingly used in the planning and execution of dental implant procedures, providing a visual aid for practitioners to aid in precise implant placement and reduce the margin of error. 12 •Regenerative Dentistry: Regenerative approaches in dentistry, including the use of growth factors, stem cells, and tissue engineering techniques, are opening new avenues for the regeneration of damaged or lost oral tissues.…”

Aditive Manufacturing in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics

“…Due to high risk of graft rejection, donor site morbidity, prolonged healing time, lack of vascularization in tumor cases and additional patient discomfort, alloplastic reconstruction of the defect is preferred. In these cases, additive manufacturing and a variety of materials with improved characteristics can offer a viable alternative for replacing intraoral or extraoral anatomical structures [2].…”

“…AM has several advantages over conventional techniques as well a over the CAM subtractive techniques. Some of the main advantages are: the ability to rapid fabricate complex structures at a considerably reduced cost [3]; a full or partially digital workflow with integrating patient's data (Cone beam computed tomography-CBCT, intraoral scan, facial scan), design in a large variety of CAD software and manufacturing carried out directly by printing the prosthesis itself or indirectly by printing prosthesis prototypes or molds [4]; less material waste; possible to reprint molds without the need of designing them again [5]; availability of different type of materials mimicking the defects needing to be restored (soft or hard tissue) [2]; constant improvements in material characteristics by adding different components [6] or improving in manufacturing techniques [7].…”