Biomechanical testing of zirconium dioxide osteosynthesis system for Le Fort I advancement osteotomy fixation.

The following work is the first evaluating the applicability of 3D printed zirconium dioxide ceramic miniplates and screws to stabilize maxillary segments following a Le-Fort I advancement surgery. Conventionally used titanium and individual fabricated zirconium dioxide miniplates were biomechanically tested and compared under an occlusal load of 120N and 500N using 3D finite element analysis. The overall model consisted of 295,477 elements. Under an occlusal load of 500N a safety factor before plastic deformation respectively crack of 2.13 for zirconium dioxide and 4.51 for titanium miniplates has been calculated. From a biomechanical point of view 3D printed ZrO2 mini-plates and screws are suggested to constitute an appropriate patient specific and metal-free solution for maxillary stabilization after Le Fort I osteotomy.