Plastic vs. titanium: which jaw implant heals better?

This study tested whether custom-made 3D-printed plastic (PEEK) plates are better than standard titanium plates for repairing a broken jawbone near the back of the mouth. Eighteen adults with a recent jaw fracture received one of the two plate types during surgery. The researchers measured bone healing on CT scans and how well patients could bite down 12 weeks later. The goal was to see if the plastic plates could provide a good alternative to metal.