The concept of 3D printed medical implants is not a new one, however, it is a relatively new form of surgery used in modern times. This method of implanting material into the body has existed since at least the 19th century, although before then it was mostly only used in surgical operations involving the lungs. This form of implantation has now extended to include the abdomen, breasts, pelvis, and others.
Most of the items discussed above are implanted into the gums, teeth, jaw, or neck. However, the most commonly encountered implantation site is that of the breast, which is commonly referred to as mammoplasty. There are several reasons for the success of 3D printed medical implants in the breast region, including the fact that they provide a natural breast implant with the ability to form and fit better with the body. Additionally, since the implants are made out of exactly the same material as the breast, they provide a very natural appearance when worn. This is achieved since the shape of the implants is matched closely to the natural contours of the breast, so that the breast appears less fake than it would if the implant were, for instance, fashioned out of different materials.
With the rapid increase in the number of women wanting larger, more natural breasts, the competition for the market share in this niche has become very fierce. Unfortunately, as cosmetic surgery is one of the few areas in the health care sector that is considered to be a niche, the profit margin is extremely small. Therefore, even if the procedure itself is relatively simple, surgeons often go to great lengths to attract patients and to develop surgical procedures that will give them the best possible return on their surgical investment. For instance, in November 2021, 3D LifePrints debuted its point-of-care services providing 3D printed medical implants in the U.S. under its ABHI US Accelerator program. One such procedure is the use of the latest technology, which has developed into the development of the very effective and popular 3D printed medical implants.