Short implants and bone loss – Evaluation of bone turnover

Abstract

Background : Additive Manufacturing (AM) in multimaterial printing allows to create anatomical models with different mechanical properties.However, a steep transition curve exists in the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts(bone to tendon) due to the homogeneous macrostructure of the printing material. Similarly, 3D printed skin model has a lower incision and tear resistance compared to the human skin with heterogeneous tissue composition. AM Macrostructure manipulation helps in material reinforcement.Aim/Hypothesis : To design and print a material with a potential to mimic the heterogeneous nature of human tissue and increase the bond strength between different 3D printed connective tissues. To verify if this modification helps to smoothen the transition of mechanical properties among different tissues.Material and Methods : The mechanical properties of the connection between two AM materials, representing the bone and tendon, were analysed by tensile test (ISO527) in 3 groups using a uniaxial universal test machine. The first group was formed by direct connection between hard and soft homogeneous material. The second and third groups were produced with structured transition formed by a cubic grid array with and without a smooth change between the two materials, respectively. This macrostructure consisted of parametrical cubic mesh in an STL