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Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Treatment of Facial Deformities using 3D Planning and Printing of Patient-Specific Implants
Published on: May 23, 2020
Standard and Customized Alloplastic Facial Implants Refining Orthognathic Surgery: Outcome Evaluation
Jean-Christophe Lutz1, Laure Shoshana Assouline Vitale2, Nicolas Graillon3
1Associate Professor, Maxillo-Facial and Plastic Surgery Department, Strasbourg University Hospital, Strasbourg, France; Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; and Laboratory of Engineering Science, Computer Science and Imaging, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), ICUBE University of Strasbourg, Translational Medicine Federation of Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France.
Purpose:
Conventional orthognathic osteotomies provide appropriate functional outcomes but might be unable to correct midface deficiency, achieve a satisfactory outcome in asymmetrical cases, or allow sufficient chin advancement. We evaluated the outcome of both standard and customized facial high-density porous polyethylene implants used to refine the cosmetic outcome of orthognathic surgery.
Patients And Methods:
We implemented a retrospective study. The sample was composed of all patients who underwent facial alloplastic augmentation between June 2011 and October 2018 in our department. The complication rate was recorded after a mean follow-up period of 41 months postoperatively, and patient satisfaction was assessed through a qualitative evaluation based on an 11-item questionnaire.
Results:
The sample was composed of 24 implants placed in 14 patients: 13 mandibular angle implants, among which 4 were customized; 8 malar implants; and 3 chin implants. No physical complications such as hematoma, infection, migration, or hypoesthesia were observed. Two implants had to be removed because of early unsatisfactory esthetic outcomes. Of 14 patients, 11 answered our questionnaire. Eighty-two percent strongly agreed that the overall outcome was satisfactory.
Conclusions:
The results of this study confirm the low physical complication rate described in the literature, and the esthetic complication rate remains lower than the rates observed in previous reports. A high satisfaction rate was found among patients. The lowest mean satisfaction score was noted for appropriate implant symmetry (3.5), whereas the highest mean satisfaction score (3.8) was achieved when using customized implants. If standard high-density porous polyethylene implants appear to be relevant adjuncts to orthognathic surgery, customized implants seem to achieve higher satisfaction, although their prohibitive cost should be considered.
