Titanium Jaw

Using a 3D printer, researchers in the Netherlands fabricated a replacement jaw from titanium, and transplanted it into a patient in June 2011. Using a scan of the patient's jaw, succesive layers of titanium powder were fused with a laser, creating the replacement jaw, which was coated with a bioceramics upon completion. The titanium jaw was fabricated in a matter of hours, and transplanted into an 83-year-old woman who had a bone infection that was destroying her jaw. The surgery only took about four hours, which is a fifth of the time it takes to do a normal jaw reconstruction. The woman surprised her doctors by talking a few hours after the surgery, normal swallowing the following day, and was able to go home four days after her surgery.

Her titanium jaw weighs in at 107 g (~30 g heavier than her normal jaw), and is fabricated with holes for muscle attachment, and grooves for blood vessels and nerves. A special-made dental bridge was fashioned, to which false teeth will be anchored, allowing the woman to return to normal eating.

If you'd like more information, you can take a look at these articles:
BBC: Transplant jaw made by 3D printer claimed as first
NewScientist: 3D printer provides woman with a brand new jaw

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