Radio-opaque polyethylene for personalized craniomaxillofacial implants.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present a new possibility to create radio-opaque implant material for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The test disks made of the own compound of polyethylenes with addiction of 2, 4, and 6 % of weight TiO2 was investigated for cytotoxicity [each group 15 disks respectively]. Next, computed tomography of the disks was performed in environment of muscle and fat. Hardness, tensile modulus and strength, and compressive modulus and strength were tested too.

RESULTS: Deterioration of mechanical properties of the composites containing titanium dioxide was observed [hardness, tensile modulus and strength, compressive modulus and strength, respectively: 56.7 ± 1.6 shore D, 354 ± 52, 22.5 ± 1.3, 21.8 ± 1.1, and 2995 ± 327 MPa as addiction of 2 % TiO2 ; 52.0 ± 0.9 shore D, 347 ± 66, 18.0 ± 0.7, 14.2 ± 0.9, and 1396 ± 477 MPa as 4 % TiO2 ; 51.3 ± 1.3 shore D, 316 ± 9, 17.4 ± 0.2, 13.6 ± 0.6, and 1100 ± 144 MPa as 6 % TiO2 added]. The test disks revealed no cytotoxicity effect on human osteoblasts. The new material presents mild radio-opacity which was enough to observe the implant in relation to fat and muscle, but with no visible effect of beam hardening.

CONCLUSION: In view of the performed tests, the polyethylene enriched by titanium dioxide seems to be a proper material to consider manufacturing of craniomaxillofacial implants.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Maxilloafacial surgery is still looking for new implantologic materials. The proposed one is a new way to manufacture an implant visible in computed tomography which does not interfere with its shape in radiological examination and makes it possible to observe the surrounding soft tissues.