Fabricating toe prostheses using 3-D modeling technique: Case report

Abstract

This article describes a technique for making toe prostheses using CAD-CAM technology and a rapid prototyping machine. A laser scanner was used to develop an integrated 3D digital image of the existing toe of a patient subjected to toe ablative surgery. The image was mirrored and used to manufacture the solid toe cast by means of a rapid prototyping machine. Subsequently, the definitive prosthesis was obtained through conventional procedures. Recent studies have focused on computer-assisted rapid prototyping machines to sculpture facial prostheses. Several techniques have been reported to fabricate a mirror-image wax cast for maxillofacial prostheses; however these techniques are costly and may require more time than manual fabrication. Several research protocols have proposed technical computer assisted solutions, however this article describes a simple, inexpensive, and repeatable method of obtaining a definitive wax cast of toe prosthesis. © 2010 by Türkiye Klinikleri.