FABRICATION OF CUSTOMISED Ti6AI4V ELI MANDIBULAR PROSTHESIS VIA SELECTIVE LASER MELTING TECHNOLOGY: AN IN VITRO ANALYSIS

Abstract

The gold standard for tumour affected mandibular reconstruction involves two operative sites and long hours of surgery that requires a fibula bone autograft and prefabricated fixation plates. The fixation plates are bent by hand to form the contours of the mandible before attaching the sectioned fibula to the resected mandible. Despite the use of cutting guides and 3D printed models for pre-operative bending of fixation plates these days, the conventional mandibular reconstruction method has many disadvantages involving donor sites morbidities, plate related complications and risk of ankle fracture. In our study, we have fabricated a customized mandibular prosthesis using the selective laser melting technology that does not require bone grafts. The in vitro analyses showed that the porous region improved osseointegration, and the mandibular prosthesis could withstand a loading force of 300 N.