title: Dimensional evaluation of patient-specific 3D printing using calcium phosphate cement for craniofacial bone reconstruction.
abstract: The 3D printing process is highlighted nowadays as a possibility to generate individual parts with complex geometries. Moreover, the development of 3D printing hardware, software and parameters permits the manufacture of parts that can be not only used as prototypes, but are also made from materials that are suitable for implantation. In this way, this study investigates the process involved in the production of patient-specific craniofacial implants using calcium phosphate cement, and its dimensional accuracy. The implants were previously generated in a computer-aided design environment based on the patient's tomographic data. The fabrication of the implants was carried out in a commercial 3D powder printing system using alfa-tricalcium phosphate powder and an aqueous solution of Na2HPO4as a binder. The fit of the 3D printed implants was measured by three-dimensional laser scanning and by checking the right adjustment to the patient's anatomical biomodel. The printed parts presented a good degree of fitting and accuracy.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Laboratorio de Biomateriais, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Liciane Sabadin
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Bertol
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Laboratorio de Biomateriais, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schabbach
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Laboratorio de Biomateriais, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luís Alberto Loureiro
authors.initials: LAL
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
keywords: 3D printing; Craniofacial implants; calcium phosphate cement