New research has found that high-tech scanning technology aids in creating more improved, natural-looking implants for patients undergoing facial reconstruction surgery to correct deformities.

The new study, which was published in the journal Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, found that advanced CT scan models with high resolution helps produce individualized acrylic facial implants that significantly enhance the results of facial reconstruction.

The newer, more improved implants not only make the reconstruction look more natural, but researchers found that they last longer than typical implants with no serious complications.

Normally, facial implants used to reconstruct severe eye and other face deformities are made of synthetic materials or the patient’s bone and tissue. Unfortunately, these implants are shaped during the surgery and are unsuccessful in recreating three-dimensional contours, making them look less natural.

So researchers at Los Angeles’ Jules Stein Institute began investigating the use of high resolution, three-dimensional CT scanning of the face and head to form personalized acrylic implants for the nine patients in the study.

During an average 4.3 years of follow-up after the study, none of the patients experienced displacement of the implant, extrusion, infection, or any other serious complications.

“All of the patients demonstrated long-term sustained improvement of facial deformities,” wrote the authors of the study.

Considering Reconstruction Surgery? Please click here to set up a consultation with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon today.