3D printing has lately been attracting lots of interest for its life-saving applications in the field of medicine. From prosthetic limbs to surgical equipment, there’s already a handful of applications that been improved tremendously, all thanks to this technology. But its full potential is yet to be exploited — in the near future, the influence of 3D printing is expected to spread further within the industry, particularly within the niche of cosmetic surgery.
One Size Doesn’t Always Fit All
Traditionally, the goal of breast augmentation has been to get breasts that are fuller in shape and larger in size. But when it comes to implants, what looks great on one individual may not work on someone else. The problem starts with determining the size of one’s breasts: cup sizes vary across bra manufacturers, and even within styles from any particular company. It’s for this reason that ladies have a hard time shopping for undergarments, but matters only get worse when one has to choose the right size of implants. As if that’s not enough, implants only come in 2 options for shape, namely anatomical and round.
So while one may consider undergoing breast augmentation to get that curvy look that implants offer, it hasn’t always been possible to get the desired results. Still, things are expected to change for the better over the next few years. Should current research and development efforts bear fruit, patients undergoing breast implant surgery in future will no longer face such challenges.
What 3D Printing Has to Offer
In simple terms, the concept involved here envisions the creation of breast implants using the patients’ own cells. The printing process allows for the construction of a shell-shape structure designed to hold fatty tissue, rather than saline or silicone implants. As a result, the implants feel more natural when compared to other techniques, in addition to being cheaper and safer. Other benefits include:
-More options for patients, meaning that women will no longer have to pick from ready-made uniform implants
-Longer lasting results, since the 3D printed implants are self-supporting
-The natural fit eliminates the need for reshaping, which translates to less time required in surgery
-Minimal risk of ‘fluffing’ and ‘dropping’ as the implants settle into the surrounding tissues
While 3D printing is a fairly new concept whose development is still ongoing, the potential applications appear to be quite vast. So it it possible that it could also transform breast implants? If reports from leading practitioners are anything to go by, 3D printed implants could be one of the biggest advancements in aesthetic medicine in years to come.