London: Cutting edge 3D printing technology is being used to reconstruct the face of a victim who suffered severe facial damage in a motorbike crash.
Surgeons are poised to carry out a pioneering operation in order to restore symmetry of the injured face with new parts produced by the printer.
The unaffected side of the biker`s face has been used to create a mirror image, which will enable perfect facial reconstruction.
Computer images are being used to create titanium implants using Additive Manufacturing, which is commonly known as 3D printing.
The images are used both to design guides to cut and position facial bones with pinpoint accuracy and create tailor-made implants for the patient.
The guides and implants are being produced in medical-grade titanium in Belgium, at one of the world`s few specialist 3D printing facilities.
