Additive Manufacturing: A 3-Dimensional Approach in Periodontics

Additive manufacturing technology or 3-dimensional printing has been used since ages in various fields including medical. Their addition to dentistry is recent and has tried to revolutionize the field. It is being used in various fields of dentistry like endodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery and recently in periodontics and Implantology. With introduction of recent “layer-by-layer” additive technology, their use in periodontal field has changed its treatment planning. It is use in preparation of customized scaffold with or without stem cell therapy, ridge augmentation, sinus lift and guided implant surgery, implant fixtures, education models,drug technology and many more. This review has tried to explain the various applications of the additive manufacturing in the field of periodontics with recent evidences. This paper highlights the role of 3-dimensional printing which can change the future of periodontal management.

Precision repairing of compound tissue defect at limbs by 3-Dimentional contrast printing and fibular head compound tissue flap transplantation / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To explore the clinical application and effect of fibular head compound soft tissue flap transplantation on precision repairing of compound tissue defect at limb joints assisted by 3-Dimensional contrast printing technology.Methods From March,2014 to September,2017,9 patients with bone and soft tissue defect at limb joints were selected.In which,2 were distal radius bone defect with joint capsule and ligament defect,2 were lower segment tibia bone and soft tissue defect,2 were femur under section of the bone and soft tissue defect,2 were medial malleolus bone and ligament defect,and 1 was external ankle ligament and bone defect.Using 3-Dimensional printing to conduct bilateral mirror-image contrast prior to the operation,morphology of bone defect at limb joints was acquired.Based on the texture printed out,corresponding fibular head compound blocks with blood vessels were removed from the donor site and transplanted to the recipient site before anastomosing the blood vessels and restoring the blood flow.The regular post-operative followed-up was performed.Results The 9 transplanted tissue blocks survived.The donor sites and the recipient sites were healed.The followed-up for restoration of limb function was from 9 to 35 (average,17.5) months.The ankle function was assessed according Kofoed scale,resulted in 2 excellent and 1 good;The wrist function was assessed according Mayo scale,resulted in 1 excellent and 1 good.The medial malleolus bone defect and criteria bone defect were healed at 6 months.The patients were satisfied with the efficacy.Conclusion The application of 3-Dimensional contrast printing of fibular head compound tissue flap transplantation in repairing compound tissue defects at limb joints can reduce damage to the donor site,realizing precise repairing on limb tissue defect,and make good function restoration.

A Comparison between Open Reduction/Internal Fixation and Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis Using a 3-Dimensional Printing Model for Displaced Clavicular Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to compare between open reduction/internal fixation (ORIF) and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) using a 3-dimensional printing model for displaced clavicular fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, we compared the outcomes of 21 patients treated with MIPO (Group A) with those of 22 patients treated with ORIF (Group B) between January 2013 and December 2015. After the operation, bone union was evaluated using X-ray every 4 weeks. The radiologic outcome (bone union), functional outcome (Korean shoulder scale [KSS], The University of California Los Angeles [UCLA] score), scar length, and degree of satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean time to union was 12.1 weeks in Group A and 12.8 weeks in Group B (p=0.524). There was no significant difference in the KSS score and UCLA score between the two groups (p=0.478, p=0.698). The mean length of scar was 4.9 cm (medial 2.6 cm, lateral 2.3 cm) in Group A and 9.7 cm in Group B (p=0.001), and Group A was more satisfied than Group B with respect to scarring (p=0.001). Nonunion developed in one case in each group. Five patients in Group B had skin numbness (1 in Group A, p=0.038). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the radiologic and functional results between the two groups with respect to displaced clavicle shaft fracture. However, scar satisfaction was higher in MIPO than in ORIF.

Three Dimensional Printing Technique and Its Application to Bone Tumor Surgery / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Orthopaedics is an area where 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology is most likely to be utilized because it has been used to treat a range of diseases of the whole body. For arthritis, spinal diseases, trauma, deformities, and tumors, 3D printing can be used in the form of anatomical models, surgical guides, metal implants, bio-ceramic body reconstruction, and orthosis. In particular, in orthopaedic oncology, patients have a wide variety of tumor locations, but limited options for the limb salvage surgery have resulted in many complications. Currently, 3D printing personalized implants can be fabricated easily in a short time, and it is anticipated that all bone tumors in various surgical sites will be reconstructed properly. An improvement of 3D printing technology in the healthcare field requires close cooperation with many professionals in the design, printing, and validation processes. The government, which has determined that it can promote the development of 3D printing-related industries in other fields by leading the use of 3D printing in the medical field, is also actively supporting with an emphasis on promotion rather than regulation. In this review, the experience of using 3D printing technology for bone tumor surgery was shared, expecting orthopaedic surgeons to lead 3D printing in the medical field.