CDE Lecture 6- Dr. Shahd Fadel Presents on Recent Advances in Maxillofacial Silicon: Integration of 3D Printing Prostheses

Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region – The Department of Dentistry at Komar University of Science and Technology (KUST) continued its Continuing Dental Enrichment Programme with a seminar on November 9, 2025, presented by Dr. Shahd Fadel. Held in the E-Auditorium at 12:30 PM, the lecture, titled “Recent Advances in Maxillofacial Silicone: Integration of 3D Printing Prostheses,” highlighted the rapid technological advancements transforming maxillofacial prosthodontics. Dr. Shahd discussed the limitations of traditional manual fabrication of silicone facial prostheses—an approach often constrained by time, labor demands, and operator variability—and outlined how digital design and additive manufacturing have dramatically improved precision, efficiency, and patient-specific customization.

The presentation explored key comparative parameters between conventional and digital workflows, including dimensional accuracy, color stability, and clinical performance. Dr. Shahd reviewed evidence showing that digitally designed and 3D-printed prostheses achieve superior fit accuracy (±0.1–0.3 mm), enhanced color stability, improved strengths when using nano-reinforced silicone materials, and higher patient satisfaction due to reduced chairside time and improved aesthetics. Emerging innovations such as direct silicone 3D printing, AI-assisted color prediction, and self-healing elastomers were showcased as the next frontier in maxillofacial rehabilitation—technologies that promise greater durability, lifelike appearance, and more sustainable, reproducible prosthetic solutions.