Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026
Treatment of Facial Deformities using 3D Planning and Printing of Patient-Specific Implants
Published on: May 23, 2020
[Application of 3D printing in the treatment of unilateral comminuted zygomatic bone fracture]
Li-Feng Li1, Jun-Bo Tu, Chen-Qun Hou
1Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University; Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University. Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China.
Abstract:
To explore the validity of 3D printing technique in the treatment of unilateral comminuted zygomatic bone fracture.
Methods:
Twenty-one patients with unilateral comminuted zygomatic bone fracture were included in the present study, which were treated from hospital January 2014 to April 2017. All patients underwent CT scan and the data were imported in Mimics 10.01 software. The zygomatic bone of healthy side was mirrored to the fracture side to rebuild a "perfect" reduction model. Bone fixation plates were pre-modeled on the model printed by a 3D printing machine and used for bone reduction and fixation during operation. Three dimensional measurements were performed to evaluate the validity of 3D printing based on pre- and post-operative three dimensional CT model. SPSS25.0 software package was used to perform paired t test on the measured data.
Results:
No significant difference were observed between postoperative CT model and preoperative "perfect" reduction model. All patients were satisfied with their facial appearance.
Conclusions:
3D printing technique is helpful to improve the accuracy of reduction of unilateral comminuted zygomatic bone fracture via preoperative pre-modeling.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
01:09Spongy Bone
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
01:27Compact Bone
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:12The Hyoid Bone
01:55Bone Structure