Towards Bioactive Titanium Maxillofacial Implants

The paper will describe the development of superplastic forming technology for the manufacture of maxillofacial prostheses, now known as Superplastic Prosthetic Forming. The benefits of computer modelling and simulation of the process will be explained. Materials for maxillofacial prostheses will be presented along with criteria of selection related to standards and the effects of the forming process on the material, which could be described as contamination. The advantages and disadvantages of contamination will be explored both biologically and mechanically. The requirements of hard and soft tissue integration will be explored in vitro and as a consequence of the degree of contamination with a view to proposing a route for in-process surface modification for the development of customised bioactive titanium maxillofacial implants.