Medical team prints 3D jaw

Forbes reports.

This is the first such model used to replace an entire jaw.

"Computer technology is causing a revolution in the medical industry," Ifpress.com quotes professor Jules Poukens, of the University of Hasselt, in Belgium, as saying.

"A traditional surgery takes up to 20 hours, and the patient should definitely stay two to four weeks in the hospital. But this operation lasted four hours and the woman could go home after four days."

International Business Times adds that this is not only the first 100% customised implant to replace an entire jaw, but is also the first time a 3D printed prosthetic has been used.

It was made by printing out the mandible with titanium powder. The method was developed by Research Institute Biomed, at Hasselt University, in co-operation with surgeons from the Orbis Medical Center Sittard-Geleen and companies Xilloc Medical BV, Maastricht and Cam bioceramics BV of Leiden.