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International Journal of Bioprinting Wireless module system applied on 3D-printed implant

transmitted from the premolar separately to the mandible APP that enables stress condition assessment from our
and the 3D-printed implant to receive higher strain values. WMS employed for early monitoring after the surgery.
Comparing the fatigue cycles in the biomechanical A schematic depicting the clinical application of our
fatigue tests revealed a decrease in fatigue cycles with an WMS is shown in Figure 9, under the premise that a
increase in applied force levels. Moreover, the mandible surgeon has successfully identified the patient’s bite point
could endure more cyclic loads while the occlusal force is occurring at the premolar after surgery, and assuming that
being applied on molar that is under the same load, due the accompanying APP received strain data of around 300
to the embedded location at the mandibular condyle, ue. Referring to the strain value/force location correlation,
resulting in a longer lever arm for the premolar compared it is possible to estimate the current occlusal force at the
to the molar (as depicted in Figure 8b). This elongated lever bite point to be about 300 N, implying a potentially higher
arm at the premolar location generated a higher bending risk for mandibular implant failure in its current position.
moment, making the mandibular model at the premolar Therefore, the surgeon can consider adjusting the patient’s
position more susceptible to fracture. bite location, shifting it toward the molar area, to mitigate
the associated risk with the mandibular implant.
The correlations derived from the biomechanical
fatigue test between different occlusal forces, load positions, Several limitations of this study should be
strains as well as fatigue cycles can offer valuable insights acknowledged. Presently, the internal space of the
for monitoring the early mandibular stress conditions in 3D-printed implant allowed for the insertion of only a 60
patients after surgery (Figure 9). This information can mAh lithium battery, which can only power the implants
assist surgeons in providing advice on bite adjustment for approximately 10 h. Thus, this falls short of meeting
and recommendations to patients, thereby reducing the the requirements for extended clinical usage. Future
probability of 3D-printed implant failure. Typically, the improvements should consider alternative power sources
surgeon can identify the mandibular occlusion contact point capable of providing longer-term power supply. In addition,
(i.e., identifying the maximum occlusal force position) after the current developed WMS for strain measurement still
surgery. The surgeon receives strain data through a mobile needs to be improved in terms of size miniaturization,

Figure 9. The correlations derived from the biomechanical fatigue test between different occlusal forces, loading positions, strains and fatigue cycles, and
a schematic depicting the clinical application of WMS.

Volume 10 Issue 3 (2024) 615 doi: 10.36922/ijb.2553