title: Alloplastic cranial implants made from computed tomographic scan-generated casts.
abstract: The complexity of cranioplasty increases with increased defect size. It is difficult to produce a symmetric, accurate implant presurgically or at the time of surgery when the defect is greater than 50 cm2. The procedure is also more difficult to perform when the defect is located in the temporal, infratemporal, or frontal areas. A new procedure generates a three-dimensional cast of the skull through computed tomography and computer-aided design reformation. This article describes the process of model generation and the production of a preprocessed cranial implant. To date, six cranial implants have been made with this technique. The whole head models are accurate and help the neurosurgeon-prosthodontist team in the creation of a symmetric, anatomically correct restoration. It is the technique of choice for large implants or where the cranial bones are thin. It is not necessary to augment or alter the implant during surgery. The technique reduces surgical time, and postsurgical complications have been minimal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry, Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: van Putten
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamada
mesh_terms: D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004867:Equipment Design; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D010294:Parietal Bone / Q000601:surgery; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000601:surgery; D013499:Surface Properties; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D008768:Methylmethacrylates