Does A Custom Skull Implant Feel Like Bone?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hello, I would like to ask about the customized skull, how hard is it and is it safe and almost as hard as the original bone?

A: A custom skull implant will feel just like bone and when implanted you can not tell the difference between it and your natural skull….even though outside the skull it has some flexibility and is not as rigid/stiff as bone. It is a common misconception that an onlay (on top of bone) skull implant should be as hard as bone…that is wrong. It is an inlay skull implant replacement for full thickness defects which should have a stout rigidity to it.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana