Place of 3D printing in facial epithesis.

ABSTRACT

Facial rehabilitation from facial epithets is part of the facial surgeon's therapeutic arsenal. The primary technique requires taking imprints on the patient, which has major drawbacks such as discomfort and difficulties for precisely recording anatomical surfaces. In this paper, we present a technical improvement in the design of facial epithesis, introducing application of a 3D printing technology. By exploiting digital data in DICOM format, it is possible to produce a digital copy of an epithesis. Based on this copy a model can be printed and then used to support the final prosthesis.