Personalized implants produced with SLM process

Pure titanium is the material used to make personalized implants for maxillofacial surgery using selective laser melting (SLM). Not only the material but also the location of the screws has an influence on the transmission of occlusive loads through the bone structures, which in an unfavorable position may cause its loss. The aim of the study was to check the location and number of screws for transferring occlusive loads in the mandible model with the use of a titanium implant, thanks to the finite element analysis (FEA). After performing numerical tests, samples of CP-Ti were prepared and subjected to a tensile test and microscopic observations. The FEA results showed that the implant is not subject to deformation and destruction, and the results of empirical studies are consistent with the numerical analysis.