Formnext – more than just four days a year

As the leading hub for Additive Manufacturing, we offer year-round access to knowledge, networks, and opportunities. Together with the AM community, we drive innovation and shape the future of manufacturing.

Explore Industry Insights

Subscribe to newsletter

Innovative workflow for hybrid manufacturing of patient-specific root-analog implants (RAIs)

19 Nov 2025

Root-analog implants (RAI) are used as immediate implants during tooth extraction. These are available in a one-piece design, i.e., the implant anchored in the bone and the abutment for anchoring the denture form a single component. The disadvantage is that, because the abutment protrudes into the oral cavity, they are poorly protected from the influences of the oral cavity, such as chewing forces.Therefore, the aim was to develop a workflow to manufacture RAIs like conventional implants in a two-piece design, which enables protected healing in the bone under the oral mucosa.

In a first step, a planning software was developed. This software first segments the anatomical structures using AI. The corresponding tooth that is to be replaced by a RAI can then be selected. A suitable commercial abutment can then be selected from an integrated library to connect the RAI to the implant crown. Finally, the corresponding 3D files for additive-subtractive manufacturing of the RAI can be downloaded.

These are first used to additively manufacture the RAI from titanium using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The RAI is then subtractively machined to ensure the required fit accuracy between the abutment and implant.

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Andreas Schwitalla, Oral Surgeon, Charité-University Medicine Berlin

Search

Innovative workflow for hybrid manufacturing of patient-specific root-analog implants (RAIs)

Your consent is required