Custom-made mandibular implant

non-absorbable

Segmental defects of the mandible can best be bridged with a patient-specific reconstruction plate, possibly in combination with an autologous bone graft (fibula, iliac crest,…). Such a plate is designed to preserve the apprearance of the original mandible, fits perfectly and guarantees an accurate execution of the pre-planned mandible resection and reconstruction. Standard reconstruction plates are fully straight and need to be cut and bent before or during surgery with special (heavy and expensive) tools. This is time-consuming and difficult and never leads to a perfect fit on the anatomy. To counter the poor fit, the use of locking screws is a necessity. Pre-bending also introduces stresses in the plate, leading to earlier failure. Patient-specific plate: Pre-planned and complete freedom of design The shape of our patient-specific reconstruction plate is designed prior to the surgery, based on the CT-scan of the patient. It is designed to follow the surface of the mandible before resection or to follow the surface of any bone graft (fibula, iliac crest,…). Screw fixation is planned based on the local bone thickness and quality. To achieve a more mechanically stable three-point fixation and to save height, Y-shaped or triangular plate endings are possible. (In standard plates you sometimes destroy the joint capsule of the TMJ in an attempt to use enough screws). Unlike standard plates, bridging sections can be designed without regular screw holes that weaken the structure.