11. Additively Manufactured Medical Implants

Technology has greatly advanced due to the internet and digitization, leading to the commercial production of additive manufacturing in the 2010s. This technology allows for the quick and precise creation of needed models, using a variety of materials, easily accessible printer raw supplies, no waste after production, and high production of intricate designs with precision. The digital data can be transferred quickly, and many products can be produced simultaneously in different places. These advantages have led to an increase in production with additive manufacturing. In the biomedical industry, traditional manufacturing methods cause problems with a large number of manufacturing through a single model, particularly with implants and prostheses. With additive manufacturing technology, patient-specific drug formulations, optimum dosage medicines, and patient-specific spinal, dental, hip, craniofacial implants and replacements can be manufactured with high precision. Additionally, tissues and organs can be produced via 3D printing, which helps overcoming issues such as incompatibility and a shortage of suitable donors. In this chapter, several additive manufacturing techniques and implant studies produced by these techniques have been considered in the literature, taking into account all the above aspects.