3D-Printed jaw models help surgeons rebuild faces more accurately

This study tested two ways of using 3D-printed models to help rebuild the lower jaw after tumor removal. Surgeons used bone from the patient's leg to reconstruct the jaw. One method used a full model of the healthy jaw, while the other used a segmented model that fit the leg bone pieces precisely. Both methods worked, but the segmented model gave more consistent facial symmetry. The study involved 36 people and showed that in-house 3D printing is a practical, low-cost tool for jaw reconstruction.