Mechanical Analysis Of Personalized Molding Titanium Mesh By 3D Printing Technology

Objective: in this study,personalized molded titanium meshes in different thickness were made by 3D printing technology,the displacements were then tested and analyzed after 100 N vertical load on the TM by the precision-engineered bio-mechanical testing machine,a scientific basis for personalized molded titanium meshes applying in jaw defect repair will be provided.Methods: first of all,a patient was selected,who had an anterior alveolar bone defect in one side,and her CBCT image datas were obtained for three-dimensional digital model reconstruction.As a template,the opposite side was copied to form the mirror morphology of the jaw bone defects.Based on this surface shape,seven types of titanium meshes with three kinds thickness(0.3 ㎜、0.4 ㎜ and 0.5㎜)were designed and printed respectively.All test specimens were divided into two groups,basing on their structure with or without hole.Then the resin model of the patient’s maxillary was printed by3 D technology,and the bone defect area was filled with HA(hydroxyapatite).After seven kinds of titanium mesh were fixed on the defect area successively,then force was load vertically on the surface of titanium mesh from 0N to 100 N gradually,and the displacement of titanium mesh was recorded simultaneously.Results: the mechanical experiments show that as the thickness of the titanium mesh increasing,the bearing capacity of titanium mesh enhances,and the displacement decreases at the same time.Among of all the specimens,the displacement of titanium mesh with 0.3 ㎜thickness is the largest,but fracture didn’t occur.In addition,the pore size also affects the mechanical properties of titanium mesh,with the decrease of pore size,the mechanical properties of personalized molded titanium mesh are gradually enhanced,meanwhile the displacement of molded titanium mesh is reduced little by little.Conclusions: the minimum interval between objects is 700 μm that can be directly distinguished by the naked eye,the largest displacement we tested in this study was 404.680 ±2.8587 μm,which is lower than this value,and surface difference should can’t be observed by human eyes.At present,the thinnest titanium mesh is 0.3 ㎜ which can be printed by 3D printing technology.Through this experiment,the 0.3 ㎜ personalized molded titanium mesh could bear 100 N load without broken,and its displacement will not cause visual deviation,thus the final repair effect won’t be affected.