Enhancing Communication and Consent Using 3-D Printed Models With a Pediatric Dental Patient Presenting With...

This case report aimed to describe the use of a patient-specific 3D printed model to support communication and informed consent in a pediatric patient diagnosed with Gorlin syndrome, a rare condition frequently associated with multiple odontogenic keratocysts.

A 9-year-old girl with Gorlin syndrome presented with swelling of the maxilla and mandible. Imaging revealed two large cystic lesions. Conventional explanations using radiographs and CBCT slices failed to ensure adequate parental understanding, partly due to language barriers. A digital workflow was developed using free segmentation software (3D Slicer) and a low-cost fused deposition modelling printer to produce life-size maxillary and mandibular models, with cysts highlighted in color. The models were presented during consultation, enabling the family to visualize the extent of the lesions and their proximity to critical structures. According to parental feedback, the model made the pathology and surgical rationale "much clearer" than prior explanations. Informed consent was successfully obtained, and the family adhered to follow-up and referral recommendations.

This case demonstrates that patient-specific 3D printed models can enhance comprehension, engagement, and trust in the care of children with complex conditions. Such models represent a feasible, low-cost adjunct to the informed consent process in dentistry.