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Updated: May 15, 2026
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3D Planning and Printing of Patient Specific Implants for Reconstruction of Bony Defects
Published on: August 4, 2020
Digital planning of cranial implants
Wicher J van der Meer1, Ruud R M Bos, Arjan Vissink
1Department of Orthodontics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. w.j.van.der.meer@dmo.umcg.nl
The British Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
|December 26, 2012
Summary
This study presents a digital implant design technique for skull reconstruction using generic software. The method effectively addresses large and complex cranial defects, offering user control over the entire process.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Device Design
Background:
- Computer-aided design (CAD) is utilized for cranial defect reconstruction.
- Existing methods face limitations, particularly for large or complex skull defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel, user-friendly digital technique for designing custom cranioplasty implants.
- To demonstrate the applicability of this technique for various defect sizes and locations, including midline defects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized generic industrial software with a curvature-based, hole-filling algorithm for implant design.
- Developed a workflow enabling full user control over implant design, material selection, and production.
Main Results:
- The described technique is suitable for all types of cranial defects, including extensive ones crossing the skull midline.
- The approach simplifies the digital design process for custom cranial implants.
Conclusions:
- This computer-aided technique offers a versatile and controllable solution for cranioplasty implant design.
- The method overcomes limitations of previous approaches for large and complex skull defects.
