Blog article - The Science of symmetry: unlocking precision with patient-specific implants in facial contouring

Introduction

Facial contouring is both an art and a science, requiring precision, adaptability, and innovation to achieve optimal symmetry and patient satisfaction. Patient-specific implants (PSIs) have become the gold standard in modern aesthetic surgery, allowing for highly tailored procedures with improved precision and predictability.

However, not all PSIs are created equal. While they offer a significant leap forward compared to standard implants, most are made from polymers or metals, which have limitations that can impact long-term outcomes. Material choice is critical, as it affects biological integration, patient acceptance, and intraoperative adaptability.

This article explores why PSIs represent the future of facial contouring and how material innovation is driving the next generation of implants.

The role of symmetry in facial contouring

Symmetry is a cornerstone of aesthetic appeal and self-confidence. In facial contouring, achieving balanced proportions requires meticulous planning, precision tools, and materials that integrate seamlessly with the patient’s anatomy. Traditional off-the-shelf solutions often fail to meet the exacting demands of symmetry, leading to complications or suboptimal results. This is where PSIs, with their patient-tailored designs, offer a revolutionary solution, but only if the right material is used.

Virtual surgical planning - example of a symmetry analysis

Why are PSIs the future of facial contouring?

The demand for personalized healthcare solutions is rising, and facial contouring is no exception. PSIs, such as MyBone®), align perfectly with this trend by leveraging cutting-edge technology like 3D printing. Key benefits of these implants include:

1. Custom design for precision: by utilizing patient imaging data, PSIs ensure a perfect fit, enhancing surgical outcomes and reducing intraoperative adjustments (Parthasarathy, 2014; Modgill et al., 2023).

2. Optimized aesthetic outcomes: PSIs allow for more predictable and natural-looking results, meeting the increasing demand for individualized solutions in aesthetic surgery (Verbist et al., 2024).

3. Shorter and easier surgeries

In summary, PSIs create implants tailored to each subject’s unique anatomy to prioritize patient outcomes. However, not all PSIs are created equal—their material plays a crucial role in long-term success and patient satisfaction.

The limitations of current PSIs: why material matters

Current PSIs, typically made from polymers (PEEK, porous polyethylene) or metals (titanium), are biocompatible but remain inert, meaning they never fully integrate with the body. This can lead to foreign body reactions, implant migration, and long-term complications, impacting both functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Facial contouring patients are often highly discerning and prefer natural solutions. Many are reluctant to have synthetic materials implanted permanently, especially those that cause thermal sensitivity (metals) or lack true biological integration (polymers), affecting both comfort and long-term acceptance.

Moreover, while PSIs improve precision, soft tissue projection remains unpredictable, as it does not always follow the exact amount of bone augmented. Traditional PSI materials lack intraoperative adaptability, making adjustments difficult and limiting the ability to refine the final aesthetic outcome during surgery.

MyBone®: when biocompatibility is not enough

Cerhum’s MyBone® is designed to address the critical limitations of conventional PSIs, offering a new level of precision, integration, and adaptability.

• Osteointegration, not just biocompatibility – MyBone® is made from hydroxyapatite with an optimized gyroid porosity, ensuring full vascularization and bone integration, reducing the risk of implant-related complications. (Systermans et al., 2024).

• A natural solution for discerning patients – Unlike polymer or metal PSIs, MyBone® feels and behaves like real bone, enhancing both comfort and patient acceptance.

• Intraoperative flexibility for soft tissue control—MyBone® is drillable with standard OR tools, allowing for precise adjustments during surgery and ensuring the best possible aesthetic outcome.  (Verbist et al., 2024).

Case Study: Left Mandibular Angle Reconstruction

At UZ Leuven, a leading academic hospital in Belgium, a 19-year-old woman with hemifacial asymmetry underwent reconstructive surgery as part of a multistage treatment plan. Prof. Willaert chose to use Cerhum’s MyBone® 3D-printed hydroxyapatite (HA) implant to reconstruct the left mandibular angle. The PSI was designed to mirror the contralateral side, ensuring precision and symmetry. Based on high-resolution CT imaging, the implant was tailored to fit seamlessly with the patient’s unique anatomy.

The MyBone® implant demonstrated excellent handling properties during the procedure, allowing for precise placement and fixation. Postoperative imaging at UZ Leuven showed no signs of infection or complications. The patient achieved significant aesthetic improvement, with balanced facial symmetry and high satisfaction. This case exemplifies the transformative potential of MyBone® in addressing complex asymmetries while minimizing complications (Verbist et al., 2024).

Conclusion

Patient-specific implants have become the gold standard in facial contouring, but their material limitations can still impact patient outcomes. Biocompatibility alone is not enough—a truly advanced solution must integrate fully with the body, provide long-term stability, and allow for intraoperative adaptability.

This is what MyBone® delivers: by combining the precision of PSIs with the regenerative potential of bone, MyBone® offers surgeons and patients the best of both worlds—a solution that not only reshapes contours, but also regenerates bone.

As the field of facial contouring advances, the next generation of implants must go beyond static materials. With full osteointegration, a bone-like feel, and intraoperative adaptability, MyBone® is redefining what is possible in maxillofacial surgery.

If you wish to discover more about how MyBone® can support your practice, reach out to us.

References

• Modgill, V., Balas, B., Sharma, N. (2023). Knowledge Domain and Innovation Trends Concerning Medical 3D Printing for Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Applications. Web of Science.

• Parthasarathy, J. (2014). 3D Modeling, Custom Implants and Its Future Perspectives in Craniofacial Surgery. Annals of Maxillofacial Surgery, 4(1), 9-18.

• Systermans, S., et al. (2024). An Innovative 3D Hydroxyapatite Patient-Specific Implant for Maxillofacial Bone Reconstruction: A Case Series of 13 Patients. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, 52(420-431). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcms.2024.02.026

• Verbist, M., et al. (2024). Reconstruction of Craniomaxillofacial Bone Defects with 3D-Printed Bioceramic Implants: Scoping Review and Clinical Case Series. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(2805). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13102805