- The clinical paper scientifically proves that 3D-printed beta-TCP patient-specific implants (PSI), made from Lithoz LithaBone material, are ideal as osteoconductive1 and osteoinductive2 personalized bone substitutes
- The implants were all made from beta-tricalcium phosphate bioceramic material, using LithaBone TCP 300 by Lithoz
- With a resulting long-term total success rate of over 92%, no wound healing problems or surgical site infections occurred over the entire 5-year monitoring period
15th April 2025: Vienna, Austria. The first ever scientific long-term study on 3D-printed bioceramic patient specific implants (PSI) shows impressive results of over 92% total success rate achieved with Lithoz’s LithaBone TCP 300 tricalciumphosphate material. Processed on a Lithoz CeraFab printer, these implants display the high medical standards of Lithoz technology which since recently is produced under an ISO 13485 certified quality management system. This pioneering study, that evaluates the healing success of LCM-manufactured ceramic implants in human bodies over a follow-up period of 5 years, will significantly support the distribution of ceramic 3D printing in surgery.
In a minimally invasive approach, 14 patients between 17 and 57 years of age suffering from dysgnathia3 were treated with patient specific implants (PSI) produced on a Lithoz CeraFab printer to prevent antegonial notching4. Delivering ideal osteoconductivity1 and osteoinductivity2, the study clearly confirmed the implants’ potential to reconstruct and bridge healing gaps occurring after surgical bone cutting intervention (“osteotomy gap”) due to its interconnected pores . The study also found that the rapid growth of new bone tissue in the beta-TCP implant is promoted.
Prior to this study, surgeons had yet to find an ideal solution to the postoperative development of mandibular lower border defects and irregularities following bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). The clinical paper’s conclusion shows “the feasibility and potential of the ß-TCP gap PSI concept as an innovative and promising approach to prevent antegonial notching4 after BSSO at primary surgery and in the long term.”
Dr. Johannes Homa, Lithoz CEO, emphasized the study’s pioneering character and fundamental importance for the entire 3D printing industry: „This first ever long-term clinical follow-up study marks an historic moment for the entire additive manufacturing industry! These results are not only about celebrating a great achievement for our Lithoz LCM technology. By clinically proving a success rate of over 92%, we’ve set a game-changing milestone in the history of surgery to establish the 3D printing of patient-specific bioceramic implants as a fully-fledged alternative alongside traditional surgical interventions.”
„Lithoz is a beacon of additive manufacturing in Vienna and proof of the city’s excellent university research ecosystem. The founders Johannes Homa and Johannes Benedikt established Lithoz 13 years ago as students at the Vienna University of Technology and have built it up to become the global market leader in 3D printing for ultra-precise technical ceramics“, says Dominic Weiss, Managing Director of the Vienna Business Agency. „We congratulate Lithoz on these promising scientific results, which demonstrate the potential of additive manufacturing to fundamentally change the medical sector – and further strengthen Vienna as a hub not only for high-tech production, but also for the life sciences in Europe“, says Weiss.
1 Osteoconduction: bone grows on a surface.
2 Osteoinduction: process by which osteogenesis is induced.
3 Dysgnathia: abnormal development that can be a pure malposition of the teeth or an incorrect position of the jaws in relation to each other or even to the rest of the skull
4 Antegonial notching: Notch at the mandible’s lower edge situated directly in front of the jaw angle.
Find the full study by Swennen et al. in the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
Lithoz PR Contact: Clara Weissflog +43 660 9128831 / [email protected]
