3-D printing technology can be useful in Plastic Surgery craniomaxillofacial (CMF) procedures to change the bony skeleton of the face, skull, and jaws. 3-D printing for patient-specific applications have four types: Type I contour models, Type II guides, Type III splints, Type IV implants. Scientific progress strongly initiatives the development of oral and CMF surgery. Amongst all the additive manufacturing (AM) methods, “three-dimensional printing” (3DP), is playing an ever-growing role. Recurrent clinical applications of 3DP in daily practice include the production of surgical templates engaged to improve the accurateness of the surgery and lessen the period and morbidity of surgical interferences. Hence, CMF surgeries comprises of bone surgery (osteotomies, recontouring, plating), offer an exceptional opportunity to detect and employ emerging 3DP technologies. Alternative noteworthy benefit is that CMF surgeries generally require significant symmetry and functionality. 3DP CMF surgeries frequently involves children with cleft-craniofacial-maxillofacial birth defects and consequently have an even superior severe requirement of exactness in the small pediatric anatomy. 3DP CMF surgery is an ultimate subject to study patient-specific 3DP surgeries, as the operations are bone-intensive, and 3DP is at present better at simulating hard tissues.

Source: 3D Print Med 6, 30 (2020). Mo Med. 2020 Mar-Apr; 117(2): 136–142.