In a groundbreaking medical advancement, a 3D printed ceramic jaw implant, created by Austrian specialist Lithoz, has been successfully implanted in a patient. This innovative procedure, marking a significant step forward in medical technology, is part of the EU-funded INKplant project. The project, led by Profactor GmbH, comprises 19 interdisciplinary partners aiming to develop patient-specific implants for treating various conditions affecting the elderly.
Since 2021, Lithoz has been exploring the optimal combination of biomaterials with the benefits of 3D printing. The new implant addresses the issue of atrophic jaws, a common problem among older patients. When teeth are lost, the jawbone deteriorates, making the use of dentures impossible. Severe atrophy usually necessitates lengthy bone grafting operations to anchor dental implants, a procedure often unsuitable for elderly patients with health issues.
At Kepler University Hospital, a patient with a history of failed dental implants and bone grafts due to compromised health received this new implant under compassionate use. Made from biocompatible high-strength zirconia using Lithoz’s LCM technology, the implant required no bone augmentation and involved only one procedure, reducing healing time by approximately 75% and minimizing trauma for the patient. This innovative design and material combination allowed all necessary surgical procedures to be completed in a single operation.
The surgery, led by DDr. Christoph Staudigl, was the first successful use of a ceramic subperiosteal jaw implant in a compassionate use case. Despite some expected post-surgery wound healing issues, the implant showed superior soft tissue compatibility compared to titanium and demonstrated clinical stability after 60 days. This represents a decisive breakthrough in treating severely atrophic jaws.
The customized implant’s design was pioneered by the Centre for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering at the Medical University of Vienna in collaboration with DDr. Staudigl. Significant contributions were also made by the BTI Biotechnology Institute in Spain and BioMed Centre Innovation GmbH in Germany. The implant will be patented and commercialized as a medical device by BioMed Centre spin-off Agensmed GmbH, manufactured using Lithoz 3D printers. A clinical trial is being prepared to systematically validate its efficacy.