# Artificial Mandibles LayerWise & Research Institute Biomed Create 3D-Printed Jaw for 83-Year-Old By Katherinev123 | Published 2012-02-07 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printed-jaw References: [wired](http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-02/06/3d-printed-jaw) & [layerwise](http://www.layerwise.com/en/news/layerwise-builds-the-world’s-first-patient-specific-lower-jaw) An 83-year-old woman has had her lower jaw replaced with a 3D-printed jaw! Replacing the woman's original infected jaw, the new artificial and customized mandible was created by metal additive manufacturer LayerWise using a method developed by Hasselt University's Research Institute Biomed in Belgium. Since typical [reconstructive surgery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woxsen-university) and jaw implants take a long time and come with high risk, the 3D-printed jaw provides an amazing alternative. Made of powdered titanium, this 107-gram artificial jaw was printed in layers and then covered in a bioceramic coating. The surgery was performed in the Sittard-Geleen hospital in the Netherlands, and the woman was able to speak and swallow the very next day. According to [Wired UK](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interconnected-messaging-ecosystem), while traditional implants can take up to two days to be ready, the 3D-printed jaw was in the patient's jaw after only four hours. Watch the video here to learn more about this incredible innovation. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 26% | Activity: 19% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Customized 3d-printing:** The development of customized 3D-printing technology for prosthetic limbs and organs provides disruptive innovation opportunities in the biotechnology and medical sector. - **Metal Additive Manufacturing:** The use of metal additive manufacturing in the production of prosthetic body parts presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the manufacturing and production industry. - **Bioceramic Coating:** The development of bioceramic coatings for 3D-printed parts presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the materials science and biomedical engineering industry. ### Who This Affects Most - **Biotechnology:** Customized 3D-printing technology for prosthetic limbs and organs presents innovation opportunities in the biotechnology industry. - **Medical:** The use of 3D-printing technology to produce prosthetic body parts presents innovation opportunities in the medical industry. - **Manufacturing:** The use of metal additive manufacturing in the production of prosthetic body parts present innovation opportunities in the manufacturing industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Patented 3D-Printed Bone Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/p3d-bone.md) - [3D-Printed Medical Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ossiform.md) - [3D Printed Medical Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gastronology.md) - [3D-Printed Pelvic Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pelvic-implants.md) - [Affordable 3D-Printed Prosthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunet.md) - [3D Printed Medical Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vsp-bolus.md) - [3D-BioPrinted Space Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/redwire-1.md) - [Tooth Replacement Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tooth-replacement.md) - [AI-Powered Dental Companies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-predict.md)