Eric Moger might be more patient about paper jams than most people. He owes his life or at least quality of life to a printer.
The 60-year-old British restaurant manager developed a tumor beneath the skin on his face four years ago. Even though he survived the surgery cancer free it required surgeons to remove his eye, cheekbone and a large part of his jaw.
With half of his face missing and a eating via a tube that feed into his stomach, Moger’s life barely resembled his pre-cancer self—until he met Dr. Andrew Daewoood. The surgeon and implant specialist previously used 3D printing to recreate patient’s jaws. Moger’s implant proved a bit more complicated.
Daewood created an image of Moger’s face through CT and facial scans. He then build the facial replica, which includes a titanium jaw held in place by rodes. With a plastic plate also added to the interior of his mouth, Moger may eat and drink normally for the first time since his surgery.
To see Moger without his new face click here. With the 3D printed face click here.
Moger literally starts a new life this year. He will be getting married after getting engaged prior to developing his tumor. Moger is not the only patient to enjoy the benefits of 3D printing. The Food and Drug Administration approved 3D printing for skull implants last February. And the first surgery using 3D printing implants occurred on March 4.
The potential benefits of 3D printing in medicine appear nearly limitless as cancer bone replacement surgery survivors, accident victims and wounded soldiers all have better options than even a few months ago.
