Slashdot Mirror


83-Year-Old Woman Gets New 3D-Printed Titanium Jaw

arnodf writes "The University of Hasselt (in Belgium) announced today (Google translation of Dutch original) that Belgian and Dutch scientists have successfully replaced an 83-year-old woman's lower jaw with a 3D-printed model. According to the researchers, 'It is the first custom-made implant in the world to replace an entire lower jaw. ... The 3D printer prints titanium powder layer by layer, while a computer controlled laser ensures that the correct particles are fused together. Using 3D printing technology, less materials are needed and the production time is much shorter than traditional manufacturing. The artificial jaw is slightly heavier than a natural jaw, but the patient can easily get used to it."

7 of 121 comments (clear)

  1. Don't Draw that Jaw by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You wouldn't download a jaw...

  2. Sweet! by tsotha · · Score: 4, Funny

    She can get a job as a heavy at Drax Industries.

  3. Experience by TWX · · Score: 4, Funny

    The artificial jaw is slightly heavier than a natural jaw, but the patient can easily get used to it.

    Sounds like the whole thing is a jaw-dropping experience!

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  4. Re:Why not stainless steel? by soundscape · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why not? That funny "stainless steel" taste, of course.

  5. Bond, James Bond by milbournosphere · · Score: 4, Funny

    Richard Keil called, he wants his teeth back.

  6. Missed oppertunity by SeaFox · · Score: 4, Funny

    She should have had new titanium dentures built into it as well. She could have starred in the next James Bond movie.

  7. Re:Why not stainless steel? by somersault · · Score: 4, Funny

    Uh.. why not titanium? Does she really need her jaw to be stronger than a Mig jet fighter? Does she really want her jaw to be twice as heavy as a normal jaw so that she walks around like this :0 all the time?

    --
    which is totally what she said