Introduction
In the current years, 3D printing (three-dimensional printing) has emerged as a groundbreaking tool in the healthcare field. Three-dimensional printing (3D printing) has shown a remarkable improvement, specifically in the field of medicine, while performing bone implant (titanium metal rods used to fix fractured joints) procedures. These advancements have provided doctors with better customizations, better biocompatibility, and enhanced health. These cutting-edge 3D-printed bone implants have provided a greater range of benefits in terms of patient care, making them a game changer in the world of orthopedic surgeries (bone surgeries). The article explores the potential of 3D-printed bone implants and their impact on patient care and surgical outcomes.
What Are 3D Printed Bone Implants?
The 3D printed bone implants are a beautiful invention for getting highly customized products as compared to traditional implants. Traditional implants come in standard sizes and shapes, making them difficult to modify, resulting in extensive manipulation during orthopedic surgeries. Modifying and manipulating the traditional implants during the surgeries may sometimes end in fitting or fixing errors.
But with the 3D printing technique, bone implants can be pre-customized precisely to fit patients' natural bone anatomy, thereby making the bone implants fit perfectly. Advanced imaging techniques like computerized tomography scans (CT Scans) produce precise digital models of the patient’s bone, which helps surgeons to customize the properly fitted bone implants for the patients. The standard of customization of 3D-printed bone implants ensures the proper fit, reduces the chances of complications, improves patients' comfort, and enhances the overall outcome of surgical procedures.
What Are the Indications of 3D-Printed Bone Implants?
Indications of three-dimensional printed bone implants are:
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Traumatic Injuries: Fractures, crush injuries, and traumatic injuries are the situations where 3D-printed bone implants are indicated.
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Congenital Deformities: Patients born with skeletal structural defects indicated the need for 3D-printed bone implants. These bone implants help to restore function and correct structural abnormalities such as short limbs.
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Bone Tumors: After the surgical removal of the bone tumors, the 3D-printed bone implants can be used to replace and restore the void left by the surgical removal of the tumor. 3D-printed bone implants are important in orthopedic oncology patients requiring bone resection due to tumors. The incorporation of porous structures in these implants facilitates osseointegration and bone ingrowth, reducing the risk of fracture.
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Degenerative Bone Diseases: Patients suffering from osteoarthritis or osteoporosis may experience severe bone loss deterioration. In such cases, 3D-printed bone implants are used to reinforce the weakened bones and maintain structural integrity.
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Revision Surgeries: In case of failed traditional implants, revision surgeries can be done using 3D-printed bone implants to restore the void.
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Maxillofacial Reconstruction: 3D-printed bone implants are used to reconstruct maxillofacial structures like jawbones and dental structures to restore functions and aesthetics. All kinds of bone defects and non-union can be treated using 3D-printed bone implants.
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Revision Surgeries: Revision surgeries using 3D-printed bone implants can benefit patients with a history of failed implant surgeries. The ability to create customized 3D-printed bone implants based on anatomical defect size and other specific needs improves the likelihood of successful revision surgeries.
However, the use of 3D-printed bone implants is ruled out by the surgeon based on individual patients' needs, type of injury, location of injury, and severity of defects.
What Are the Advantages of Using 3D-Printed Bone Implants?
The 3D-printed bone implants have a wide range of benefits as compared to the traditional implant techniques such as:
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3D-printed bone implants can be customized based on the patient's natural bone anatomy.
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It ensures a better fit within the bone.
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Reduces the risk of complications like foreign body rejection.
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No modification and manipulation of the implants are needed during the surgical procedure, which saves a lot of time and hassle during surgery.
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3D-printed bone implants have enhanced biocompatibility.
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Different biocompatible materials like bio-ceramics, bioactive polymers, and living cells can be used in 3D-printed bone implants, which aid in better healing and regeneration.
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Reduces the time of the surgical procedure.
What Are Different Bone Implant Molding Methods Used in 3D Printed Technologies?
Different types of bone implant molding techniques used in 3D printed technologies are:
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Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Method: Materials used in this technique are synthetic polymers, polymer-ceramic, and inorganic composites. The disadvantages of these materials are shrinkage and warpage issues.
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Stereolithography Appearance (SLA) Method: Materials used in this method are trimethylene carbonate, polyhydrogel, and epoxy resin. These materials provide better accuracy of complex three-dimensional structures.
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Fusion Depth Modeling (FDM) Technique: Materials used in this technique are synthetic polymers. The disadvantage of this method is that it has very poor print and has minor shrinkage and warpage issues as well.
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Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF): Materials used in this technique are metal powders and inorganic non-metals. The drawback of this method is that it may distort due to higher temperatures. It has a fast processing speed.
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Biological Printing (BP): The material used is bio-ink (natural materials). These materials have better biocompatibility and are biodegradable. The disadvantages of this technique are poor mechanical properties of the material and slow molding speed.
What Are the Future Perspectives of 3D Printed Bone Implants?
The field of 3D-printed bone implants is still evolving with ongoing clinical trials and research. Various clinical trials are ongoing by incorporating different bioactive substances, like growth factors or drugs, into the implants to promote regeneration and repair and accelerate the healing process. Advanced imaging techniques such as 3D bio-printing may pave the way for fully functional bone grafts. The future holds tremendous potential for revolutionizing the repair and regeneration of the bone.
Conclusion
The 3D-printed (three-dimensional printing) bone implants have served as a boon to the field of orthopedic surgeries and have proven to have a profound impact on patient care and medical advancements. The ability of 3D-printed bone implants to provide better biocompatibility and accelerated healing make them a game changer technology in the healthcare sector. With advancing technologies, furthermore, research is required to explore the uses of 3D-printed bone implants for improved patient care and outcomes from surgeries.
