From Design to Smile: Leveraging AM and Topological Optimization for Jaw Implant Solutions

The jaw implants support dental prostheses to replace missing teeth. Speech, bone loss prevention, aesthetics, preservation of neighboring teeth and jaw fractures, comfort, and oral health are improved with these implants. Ti-64 and CoCr alloys are used in dentistry for biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, biostability, osseointegration, durability, and clinical success. In orthopedics and reconstructive surgery, 3D-printed bone implants are common. Thanks to digital technologies, additive manufacturing, and topological optimization are accelerating biomedical research and development like never before. Their key benefits include patient-specific implants, intricate geometries, faster production and operation, good bone and reconstructive integration, and patient comfort. This ongoing research employs a custom-made jaw model to study its mechanical properties under chewing stresses. The model was then subjected to topological simulation, as a part of DfAM. We used 3D printing simulations to investigate dimensional inaccuracies caused by thermal stresses and support structure removal. Although chewing loads were below the yield strength, substantial dimensional distortion suggested using compensated geometry to manufacture the implant. This study seeks to provide researchers with helpful advice for future research.

Keywords: Bone & dental implants, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, topology optimization, Ti64, CoCr.