The role of patient specific implants in the oral and maxillofacial region

Reconstructing maxillofacial defects is quiet challenging due to the region's complex anatomy, and cosmetic and functional effects on patients. With the help of developing technologies, patient-specific implants (PSIs) using virtual surgical planning based on a Computer aided designing (CAD)/Computer aided manufacturing (CAM) platform is an evolving treatment option. PSIs can be used in patients with maxillofacial defects and reconstruction. PSIs are also being used in the form of preformed plates for virtually planned orthognathic surgeries. Customized temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prosthesis is being routinely used in the debilitating/degenerative joint disease as a part of alloplastic joint replacement. The reconstruction of the maxillofacial region using autogenous tissue will always be gold standard due to near match of the recipient site. However, autogenous bone grafts positioned using PSIs or in certain areas such as the TMJ complex and the orbital region the PSIs are being offered with advantage of reduced donor-site morbidity. The future research is focussed towards the development of PSIs being used as a scaffold for engineering of the recipient tissue to restore the lost anatomy of specific region. This article reviews the varied aspects of this new technology of PSI for correction of various deformities/defects during the maxillofacial reconstruction.