Numerical Study of Mechanical Development of Patient-Specific Mandibular Reconstruction Implant

Abstract

Patient-specific mandibular reconstruction implants are a new technique to deal with ameloblastoma tumors. Although they could solve the integration problem which is attributed to the graft reconstruction approach, they may increase the risk of infection due to poor blood supply around it. Using bone grafts besides customized plates with smaller geometries would be considered as an alternative. However, they would also have possible complications like poor graft integration and plate fracture. Considering weight reduction patterns on implants would efficiently help to solve the mentioned problems. In this study, two design concepts of mandibular reconstruction implants which were different in weight reduction pattern’s location were presented. Also, a finite element assessment was performed to evaluate the mechanical performance and functionality of the implants under chewing load. Results revealed that designing patterns all over the implant geometry would lead to minimum jaw deviation and maximum Von Mises stress values around 120 MPa which is much less than Ti6Al4V yield stress. Compared to the solid design, the patterns would enhance the implant function by decreasing the deviation which would result in a function similar to the intact side. Although results showed the proper functionality of the implant clinical trials with multiyear follow-ups are still needed to investigate the detailed clinical results of this concept.