Can Kryptonite Bone Cement Be Used For Jaw Augmentation?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a question about Kryptonite bone cement. Can it be used to build up the jawline. I was born with hemifacial microsomia and my jaw on one side is short not very full. My bite has been corrected by a jaw osteotomy previously but the overall side of the jaw is still small and too thin. Would this be a good use for this type of bone cement material? Also what would happen it is got infected after surgery?

A: Kryptonite bone cement is FDA-approved for all craniomaxillofacial bone applications whether it is as an inlay, onlay or any combination thereof. Therefore, it is appropriate  to use it as an onlay augmentative material for the mandible or any other facial bone for either reconstructive or cosmetic indications. So it could be safely used for jaw onlay augmentation.

Having 20 years experience as a craniofacial plastic surgeon with a lot of experience in biomaterials in the craniofacial region, Kryptonite has a very steep learning curve with its use. It handles completely different than every other bone cement material used in craniomaxillofacial surgery.  It would also be a challenge in getting into a site with difficult access such as the jawline. What I have learned in complex cases like yours is to first get a 3-D craniofacial model made from a CT scan. Then use that either to premake the desired implant for other synthetic materials or use it sterilized during surgery to custom make an implant intraoperatively out of Kryptonite. This will help tremendously in getting the best contour shape and in its placement.

Once  an implanted material gets infected, Kryptonite or otherwise, antibiotics will not usually solve it. The material must be removed to cure the infection. The material is simply inoculated, particularly a porous material, and you can’t get rid of the bacteria with drugs alone. They will only provide a temporary amelioration of the infection which will return as soon as the antibiotics are stopped. Clearly this is a problem to be avoided which is why I always mix in antibiotic powder with any bone cement material in the preparation process.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana