Objectives: The study aimed to introduce and evaluate a new customized temporomandibular joint-mandible combined prosthesis with 3D printing fabrication.
Materials and methods: This was a prospective study including patients with temporomandibular joint-mandible combined lesions. A 3D-printed customized temporomandibular joint-mandible combined prosthesis was implanted to repair the joint and jaw defect. Clinical follow-up and radiographic examinations were taken to assess the clinical efficacy. The assessment indices were compared by the Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Results: Eight patients were treated with the combined prosthesis and included in this study. All prostheses were accurately positioned and fixed without wound infection, prosthesis exposure, displacement, loosening, or fracture. All cases had no mass recurrence at the last follow-up point. Pain, diet, mandibular function, lateral mandibular movement to the diseased side, and maximal interincisal opening showed significant improvements at every follow-up point and went to a stable condition at 6 months after the operation. But the lateral movement to the non-operated side was still limited following surgery.
Conclusion: The 3D-printed combined prosthesis may be an alternative to other well-established reconstructions for temporomandibular joint and mandible defects.
Keywords: 3D printing; mandible; prosthesis; total temporomandibular joint.
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