Preformed acrylic cranial implants using fused deposition modeling: a clinical report.

Fabrication of acrylic cranial implants by conventional methods of moulage and mold formation may be difficult when the margin of the defect cannot be accurately detected. Three-dimensional anatomic models built by fused deposition modeling can serve as templates for the fabrication of custom acrylic implants for large or complicated cranial defects. Virtual mirror imaging of the contralateral nondefect side can facilitate the restoration of symmetry in appearance-sensitive areas. This clinical report presents a method for the fabrication of cranial implants for 2 patients using anatomic modeling technology.