Pierre Robin Sequence and 3D Printed Personalized Composite Appliances in Interdisciplinary Approach

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing
• Craniofacial Orthopedics

Background:

• Personalized biomedical appliances are crucial for treating craniofacial syndromes.
• Existing methods for creating these appliances can be invasive and costly.
• Rapid patient growth necessitates adaptable and easily updated devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel concept and methodology for creating personalized biomedical appliances using 3D printing.
• To demonstrate a workflow integrating intraoral scanning, CT data, and 3D printing for complex orthopedic devices.
• To evaluate the feasibility and clinical viability of using biocompatible photopolymer resin for these appliances.

Main Methods:

• A workflow combining intraoral optical scanning and CT data segmentation for patient virtualization.
• Digital design of personalized intraoral and extraoral orthopedic appliance components.
• Additive manufacturing using Dental LT Clear (V2) photopolymer resin for appliance fabrication.
• Clinical application and evaluation in a pediatric patient with Pierre Robin sequence.

Main Results:

• Virtual 3D fusion of scans provides accurate facial, intraoral, and airway morphology data.
• 3D printing with photopolymer resin yields durable, fracture-resistant appliances.
• The method allows for affordable, non-invasive, and practical updates to accommodate patient growth.
• Demonstrated success in a case of Pierre Robin sequence.

Conclusions:

• The described 3D printing methodology is a viable approach for creating personalized biomedical appliances.
• The use of biocompatible photopolymer resin is suitable for durable and adaptable orthopedic devices.
• Interdisciplinary clinical evaluation supports the method's effectiveness for craniofacial patients.