The building of an accurate 3D physical model of the skull and maxillary dentition.

3D rapid prototyping is a useful tool for the production of 3D models of the human skull taken from cone beam computed tomography scans. Although the accuracy of these models is acceptable the dentition is distorted. The aim of the study is to replace the inaccurately reproduced dental arch of a 3D printed skull model with accurate, correctly proportioned plaster teeth, obtained from a dental impression. 6 dried human skulls were scanned using a Faro laser arm scanner. Impressions of the dentition were taken using silicone impression material. Plaster dental casts were produced using dental stone. Following removal of the inaccurate dentition from the 3D printed skull model, the corresponding plaster dental cast was attached to the 3D printed skull model using a custom designed technique. The six modified 3D printed skull models with replaced dentition were laser scanned using a Faro arm. VRmesh software was used to superimpose the laser scanned skull images

Three-Dimensional Printing: A Novel Technology for Use in Oral and Maxillofacial Operations

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is cited as “a novel, fascinating, future builder technology” in many papers and articles. Use of this technology in the field of medicine and especially oral and maxillofacial surgery is expanding. The type of manufacturing systems, materials, cost-effectiveness, and also bio-printing, with studies from around the world today, make this field a “hot-topic” in reconstructive and regenerative surgery. This chapter evaluates the latest updates and scientific uses of 3D printing

3D-printing techniques in a medical setting : a systematic literature review

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has numerous applications and has gained much interest in the medical world. The constantly improving quality of 3D-printing applications has contributed to their increased use on patients. This paper summarizes the literature on surgical 3D-printing applications used on patients, with a focus on reported clinical and economic outcomes. Methods: Three major literature databases were screened for case series (more than three cases described in the same study) and trials of surgical applications of 3D printing in humans. Results: 227 surgical papers were analyzed and summarized using an evidence table. The papers described the use of 3D printing for surgical guides, anatomical models, and custom implants. 3D printing is used in multiple surgical domains, such as orthopedics, maxillofacial surgery, cranial surgery, and spinal surgery. In general, the advantages of 3D-printed parts are said to include reduced surgical time, improved medical outcome, and decreased radiation exposure. The costs of printing and additional scans generally increase the overall cost of the procedure. Conclusion: 3D printing is well integrated in surgical practice and research. Applications vary from anatomical models mainly intended for surgical planning to surgical guides and implants. Our research suggests that there are several advantages to 3D- printed applications, but that further research is needed to determine whether the increased intervention costs can be balanced with the observable advantages of this new technology. There is a need for a formal cost-effectiveness analysis

New frontiers and emerging applications of 3D printing in ENT surgery: A systematic review of the literature

3D printing systems have revolutionised prototyping in the industrial field by lowering production time from days to hours and costs from thousands to just a few dollars. Today, 3D printers are no more confined to prototyping, but are increasingly employed in medical disci- plines with fascinating results, even in many aspects of otorhinolaryngology. All publications on ENT surgery, sourced through updated electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE) and published up to March 2017, were examined according to PRISMA guidelines. Overall, 121 studies fulfilled specific inclusion criteria and were included in our systematic review. Studies were classified according to the specific field of application (otologic, rhinologic, head and neck) and area of interest (surgical and preclinical education, customised surgical planning, tissue engineering and implantable prosthesis). Technological aspects, clinical implications and limits of 3D printing processes are discussed focusing on current benefits and future perspectives

Advanced Applications of Rapid Prototyping Technology in Modern Engineering

Rapid prototyping (RP) technology has been widely known and appreciated due to its flexible and customized manufacturing capabilities. The widely studied RP techniques include stereolithography apparatus (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), three-dimensional printing (3DP), fused deposition modeling (FDM), 3D plotting, solid ground curing (SGC), multiphase jet solidification (MJS), laminated object manufacturing (LOM). Different techniques are associated with different materials and/or processing principles and thus are devoted to specific applications. RP technology has no longer been only for prototype building rather has been extended for real industrial manufacturing solutions. Today, the RP technology has contributed to almost all engineering areas that include mechanical, materials, industrial, aerospace, electrical and most recently biomedical engineering. This book aims to present the advanced development of RP technologies in various engineering areas as the solutions to the real world engineering problems

Role of Mimics a Cad Software in 3D Reconstruction of CT Data in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

INTRODUCTION: Ever since radiations became a part of diagnosis after the discovery of X- rays by roentgen, it has undergone so many advances and the biggest leap of them all is the transition from 2D to 3D. 3D visualization and diagnosis has been made possible by computed tomography. With the arrival of 3D in radiography, the spectrum of use has widened in that it is not only being used for visualization, there is also use of the 3 dimensional images in diagnosing, treatment planning and surgical simulation which is now becoming a more popular method. Technological advances in computerized tomography (CT) have reduced time for data acquisition and thereby reduce the exposure time and the radiation risk for the patient. Now CT data can be exported in DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication) format which is a format accepted universally by most of the softwares for reconstruction so that CT images may be economically and quickly generated using the CAD software. With Helical CT a single exposure is enough to obtain reconstructed images in all the 3 planes, Axial, Coronal and sagittal. 3D CT was judged superior to multiplanar two-dimensional CT. CT data can be exported into a CD in DICOM format. This data can be reconstructed into a 3D virtual object/model using various softwares. In our department Materialise Mimics is used for the reconstruction of CT data, visualizing, planning and surgical simulation. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of Mimics a medical based CAD software in 3D reconstruction of CT data, visualization, surgical simulation and physical model fabrication which can be used in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study was done in the department of Oral and MaxilloFacial Surgery, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Chennai. Period of study was done during September 2008 to July 2010. CT was taken for selective patients. A CAD based medical software MIMICS (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). is used for 3D reconstruction of the acquired CT data. CT protocol. CT Scan parameter for all the patients were as follows, Vertex to Manubrium, 130 kV and 81 mA/s, Slice increment 0.5mm, Width 512 pxl, Height 512 pxl, Pixel size .500 mm, Gantry tilt 0.00, Algorithm H70s. CONCLUSION: The data produced by the CT machines are a series of images. These images are printed on sheets and are viewed as conventional 2D images only and are not interactive. But through this software the CT data is now very interactive. A powerful processor, large virtual memory of the computer and dedicated graphics card is required. This software provides a better visualization of the anatomy and pathology, compared to conventional CT images. Accurate measurement between points and measuring of angles is possible with this software. Osteotomy, distraction and other surgical simulation can be done with this software. Splints templates and guides for intraoperative use can be fabricated. This software eliminates cumbersome procedures to the patient like facebow transfer and impression making. It is a good learning tool as it gives exact details of the anatomy. From this study we conclude that MIMICS a medical based CAD software is a very efficient tool in Visualization, Diagnosis, Treatment planning, Surgical Simulation and fabrication of Templates for intraoperative use in Oral and MaxilloFacial Surgery

Image-guided surgery and medical robotics in the cranial area

Surgery in the cranial area includes complex anatomic situations with high-risk structures and high demands for functional and aesthetic results. Conventional surgery requires that the surgeon transfers complex anatomic and surgical planning information, using spatial sense and experience. The surgical procedure depends entirely on the manual skills of the operator. The development of image-guided surgery provides new revolutionary opportunities by integrating presurgical 3D imaging and intraoperative manipulation. Augmented reality, mechatronic surgical tools, and medical robotics may continue to progress in surgical instrumentation, and ultimately, surgical care. The aim of this article is to review and discuss state-of-the-art surgical navigation and medical robotics, image-to-patient registration, aspects of accuracy, and clinical applications for surgery in the cranial area