title: Novel Arch Bar Fabricated With a Computer-Aided Design and Three-Dimensional Printing: A Feasibility Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of the design and fabrication of a novel arch bar using 3-dimensional printing. Furthermore, the study assessed its use in a preliminary clinical study of intermaxillary fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the present study. Plaster dental casts were created of each patient and scanned using cone-beam computed tomography to obtain digital casts. Computer-aided design software was then used to complete the virtual building of the arch bars, which were manufactured using 3-dimensional printing and a cobalt-chrome alloy. The clinical results were observed after the arch bars were fixed to the dentition with steel wires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The arch bar contacted the dentition with a "surface-to-surface" pattern. The utility of these novel arch bars was verified by successfully fitting them to the dental arches of the patients. All the patients achieved their desired occlusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study have illustrated that this digital method is feasible for constructing a novel arch bar, showing promise for clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yuchun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Kaiyue
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoxia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China. Electronic address: pkulzl@sina.com.
authors.forename: Zili
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional