Can My Jaw Angle Resection Be Reconstructed With Titanium Jaw Angle Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had jaw resection surgery.But it was overresected. So I am thinking of my jawline reconstruction. In theory would it be possible to have a strong and tough jaw by having my mandible reconstructed with 3D printed customized titanium alloy additive? Usually I heard that silicone or PMMA is often used to make a jaw line but they are not as strong as titanium and don’t have osteointegration properties. I love sports like boxing and I want to know if I can enjoy the sport with my reconstructed titanium mandible.

A: You can have your jaw angles reconstructed by using a 3D method to fabricate titanium implants rather than silicone. However the cost to do so may be prohibitive as the costs of the implants alone will come close to $10,000 and that does not include the surgical fees to place them. While this can be done, I don’t see the advantage of a metal reconstruction over the option of custom silicone jaw angle implants. They offer similar protection, would be easier to place, cost far less to manufacture, provide protection to the bone by acting as a ‘bumper’ and can be securely fixed to the bone so that they would have no problem withstanding any sports activity.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana