Polish and Taiwan, China scientists are committed to new 3D printing dental implants

Researchers from Wroclaw University of Technology and Taipei University of Technology in China are developing dental implants made from 3D printed ceramic structures connected to metal cores. Due to the use of biodegradable magnesium, bone tissue will gradually grow into such implants.
 
"The result will be a composite implant that can replace human teeth. Its scaffold is made of aluminum oxide and manufactured using additive methods [3D printing], ensuring that it will be customized according to specific patient needs," the press release stated.

In the upper part (crown), the ceramic structure is solid, and in the lower part (root), the ceramic structure is porous. Therefore, it can be filled with liquid metal - magnesium alloy. This will reduce the fragility of the structure, and the core itself will initially act as an anchor, fixing the implant in the jawbone. Magnesium will gradually degrade, releasing space for bone tissue growth (this process is called bone integration). As a result, the implant will become very stable - embedded in human tissue.

Scientists from Taiwan, China, China, in cooperation with researchers from Wroclaw, have developed appropriate ceramic preforms with openings, that is, they combine with metal cores to form implant structures. These structures were sent to the Department of Light Component Engineering, Casting, and Automation at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Technology, where researchers injected metal (a biocompatible magnesium alloy) into them.

The project is still in its early stages
"We are in the early stages of the project, so we are currently testing two casting techniques, and then we will choose the most favorable one. The first is the pressure infiltration method, or more accurately, from liquid pressing, placing the ceramic shape in a pressing chamber and pouring liquid metal, then lowering the piston to press the liquid metal into the pores of the ceramic. Preformed parts," Dr. Anna Dmitruk explained in a press release.

"The second technology is precision casting, which is also used in jewelry production. Here, we first make gypsum molds for wax or plastic models that were previously prepared," she added.

The work of the CERMET program will last for three years. The result will be an implant prototype. After development is completed, scientists can seek funding for subsequent stages of work, including medical pre research.

The project leader is Professor Krzysztof Naplocha from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Wroclaw University of Technology, with team members including Dr. Anna Dmitruk, Dr. Adrianna Filipiak Kaczmarek, and Dr. Natalia Ra ź Ny.

Source: Laser Net