3D-Printed Ceramic Jaw Implant Successfully Placed in Patient

A 3D-printed ceramic subperiosteal jaw implant has been successfully placed in a patient. This groundbreaking achievement, part of the INKplant project, marks a significant milestone in medical technology and offers new hope for patients with severe jaw atrophy.

Dr. Johannes Homa, CEO of Lithoz, the company behind the implant’s fabrication, stated, “This innovation, which requires only one procedure, is estimated to reduce healing time after such oral surgery by 75%.”

Addressing a Common Elderly Issue

The implant was developed to tackle the problem of atrophic jaws, a condition frequently observed in older patients. After tooth loss, the jawbone often deteriorates, making it challenging to use conventional dentures. Traditional treatments for severe atrophy typically involve lengthy bone grafting procedures, which can be particularly risky for elderly patients with compromised health.

Pioneering Technology and Design

The implant was created using Lithoz’s LCM (Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing) technology, utilising biocompatible high-strength zirconia. This innovative approach combines the precision of Lithoz LCM technology with the design freedom of 3D printing, enabling the creation of a custom-fit implant that doesn’t require bone augmentation.

Successful Surgery and Patient Outcome

The procedure was performed at Kepler University Hospital on a patient who had previously lost multiple dental implants and bone grafts due to health complications. DDr. Christoph Staudigl, who led the surgery, reported:

“Despite some expected wound healing issues after surgery, the superior soft tissue compatibility of zirconia compared to titanium played its role spectacularly. The implant showed clinical stability after 60 days, representing a decisive breakthrough for the treatment of severely atrophic jaws.”

Collaborative Effort and Future Prospects

This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort involving 19 interdisciplinary partners as part of the EU-funded INKplant project. The Centre for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering at the Medical University of Vienna, BTI Biotechnology Institute, and BioMed Centre Innovation GmbH all contributed their expertise to the implant’s design and development.

Clinical Trials and Commercialisation

Following this successful first placement, plans are underway to conduct clinical trials to systematically validate the implant’s efficacy. The technology will be patented and adopted as a medical device by Agensmed GmbH, a spin-off of BioMed Centre, with manufacturing to be carried out using Lithoz 3D printers.

This breakthrough demonstrates the immense potential of ceramic 3D printing in medical applications and paves the way for further innovations in patient-specific implants. As research continues, this technology could transform treatment options for a wide range of pathologies affecting the elderly.