Printing 3D models of canine jaw fractures for teaching undergraduate veterinary medicine.

PURPOSE: To develop 3D anatomical models, and corresponding radiographs, of canine jaw fractures.

METHODS: A base model was generated from a mandibular bone scan. With this model it was possible to perform fracture planning according to the anatomical location.

RESULTS: The 3D base model of the canine mandible was similar in conformation to the natural bone, demonstrating structures such as canine tooth crowns, premolars and molars, mental foramina, body of the mandible, ramus of the mandible, masseteric fossa, the coronoid process, condylar process, and angular process. It was not possible to obtain detail of the crown of the incisor teeth, mandibular symphysis, and the medullary channel. Production of the 3D CJF model took 10.6 h, used 150.1 g of filament (ABS) and cost US$5.83.

CONCLUSION: The 3D canine jaw fractures models, which reproduced natural canine jaw fractures, and their respective radiographic images, are a possible source of educational material for the teaching of veterinary medicine.