An Experimental Method for Customized Mandible Fabrication and Image Preparation: A Rapid Prototyping Approach

Reproduction of anatomical structures by rapid prototyping has proven to be a valid adjunct for craniofacial surgery, providing alternative methods to produce prostheses and development of surgical guides. The aim of this study is to introduce a methodology to fabricate asymmetric human mandibles by rapid prototyping technique. This paper presents a methodology for the design and fabrication of mandible. Computer-aided design (CAD) and rapid prototyping (RP) selective laser sentering (SLS) are used in this paper for designing& manufacturing the implant. Design methods for medical RP of custom-fabricated are presented, Computed tomography (CT) / MRI data in the form of DICOM were used to create a three-dimensional model of the 47 year old male patients prosthesis. After a stepwise data conversion and reconstruction, the customized shape of the implant was designed in CAD environment and fabricate by using SLS RP process. Results shows that the custom made implant fit well the defect. Overall, excellent mandible evenness and stability were achieved with the custom made implants. The a high degree of fitting is achieved also patient performs all the regular activities due to increase in accuracy. The operating time is reduced. The methods describes above suffer from the expensive cost of RP technique& gives better results for designing of implant.