Biomechanical assembled prosthesis of a temporo mandibular joint disorder using biocompatible materials

In this work, the design and manufacture of a new assembled prosthesis for a jaw for a young Mexican patient with Temporo Mandibular Disorder (TMD) and articular ankilosys is reported. The required models were obtained with a computed axial tomography (CAT) in conjunction with computed aided design (CAD) and engineering codes. Several tomographic slices were taken digital format (DICOM). Each slice was processed with Scan IP, Unigraphics and Solidworks. The main objective of this study is to show the digital and a physical processing for manufacturing the desired model, taking into account the anthropometry of the young patient, who expects to receive this fixation as a maxillary implant. The parametric FEM model allows creating biomechanical testings in order to evaluate its mechanical response before the final manufacturing by using of a quick prototyping printer system (dust). This prosthesis will be created as an assembly, and the condylar joint will be created by a low friction metal. The expectation for this final implant requires the approval of the Hospital ‘‘La Raza’’ (IMSS) in order to be installed on the patient. For this purpose, a biomechanical engineering procedure and 3D manufacturing quick prototyping was used for the prototype. The clinical case discussed in this chapter is related to a 17 year-old individual. He was treated in the area of maxillofacial and plastic surgery. The severity of the deformation was based on congenital disease. Calcium hydroxyapatite, polymethylmethacrylate polymer and stainless steel, which are highly biocompatible materials, were used for this purpose. It is very important to mention that this procedure avoided the employment of bone tissue taken from the ribs and cranial regions as in other research publications referred. As a result of this research, an assembled 3D personalized jaw model could be presented in order to be fixed in the patient.