Reconstruction [correction to Reconstrction] of mandibular bone defects by using the techniques [correction to teachniques] of the reverse engineering and rapid prototyping

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of designing and fabricating customized titanium bone substitutes to restore mandibular bone defects using reverse engineering (RE) and rapid prototyping (RP) techniques. METHODS: Titanium tray for mandibular defects were designed and fabricated through multi-step procedures of reverse engineering and rapid prototyping, then in operation it was filled with cancellous bone and fixed. RESULTS: The bone substitutes fabricated by this method had been successfully put into clinical use for maxillofacial surgery in 2 patients and got a satisfactory result. CONCLUSIONS: Reverse engineering combining with rapid prototyping could accomplish the design and manufacture of implant for the restoration of mandibular bone defects.