title: Radio-opaque polyethylene for personalized craniomaxillofacial implants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to present a new possibility to create radio-opaque implant material for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The test disks made of the own compound of polyethylenes with addiction of 2, 4, and 6 % of weight TiO2was investigated for cytotoxicity [each group 15 disks respectively]. Next, computed tomography of the disks was performed in environment of muscle and fat. Hardness, tensile modulus and strength, and compressive modulus and strength were tested too.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Deterioration of mechanical properties of the composites containing titanium dioxide was observed [hardness, tensile modulus and strength, compressive modulus and strength, respectively: 56.7 ± 1.6 shore D, 354 ± 52, 22.5 ± 1.3, 21.8 ± 1.1, and 2995 ± 327 MPa as addiction of 2 % TiO2; 52.0 ± 0.9 shore D, 347 ± 66, 18.0 ± 0.7, 14.2 ± 0.9, and 1396 ± 477 MPa as 4 % TiO2; 51.3 ± 1.3 shore D, 316 ± 9, 17.4 ± 0.2, 13.6 ± 0.6, and 1100 ± 144 MPa as 6 % TiO2added]. The test disks revealed no cytotoxicity effect on human osteoblasts. The new material presents mild radio-opacity which was enough to observe the implant in relation to fat and muscle, but with no visible effect of beam hardening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In view of the performed tests, the polyethylene enriched by titanium dioxide seems to be a proper material to consider manufacturing of craniomaxillofacial implants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maxilloafacial surgery is still looking for new implantologic materials. The proposed one is a new way to manufacture an implant visible in computed tomography which does not interfere with its shape in radiological examination and makes it possible to observe the surrounding soft tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, Zeromskiego 113, 90-549, Lodz, Poland. mm_kk@toya.net.pl.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kozakiewicz
authors.affiliation: Ledo Ltd., Gliniana 19, 91-336, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Olbrzymek
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego 22, 90-153, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Ludomir
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stefanczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego 22, 90-153, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olszycki
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Technical University of Lodz, Stefanowskiego 1/15, 90-924, Lodz, Poland.|BioNanoPark laboratories, Lodz Regional Park of Science and Technology, Dubois 114/116, 93-465, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Komorowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Technical University of Lodz, Stefanowskiego 1/15, 90-924, Lodz, Poland.|BioNanoPark laboratories, Lodz Regional Park of Science and Technology, Dubois 114/116, 93-465, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Walkowiak
authors.affiliation: Material Science Laboratory, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Pomorska 251, 92-213, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Bartłomiej
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Konieczny
authors.affiliation: Material Science Laboratory, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Pomorska 251, 92-213, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krasowski
authors.affiliation: Material Science Laboratory, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Pomorska 251, 92-213, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sokołowski
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008447:Maxillofacial Prosthesis; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; C009495:titanium dioxide; D020959:Polyethylene; C041289:Radio-Opaque acrylic resin; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Maxillofacial implants; personalized treatment; polyethylene; radiological opacity