Dubai surgeons leave patient wearing a smile with 3D-printed jaw implant

A man who was left disfigured by a debilitating facial tumour has been given renewed confidence after surgeons in Dubai created a 3D-printed jaw implant, allowing him to speak and smile again.

Nimer Altaher, from Jordan, was diagnosed with ameloblastoma, a rare but benign tumour of the upper jaw, in 2022. While usually non-cancerous, the tumour begins to grow in cells that form tooth enamel, and typically expands in the jawbone close to the molar teeth.

As the growth can be aggressive, it invades nearby tissue and bone, causing disfigurement and restrictions to everyday functions such as smiling, speaking clearly, and chewing.

Despite a successful operation to remove the slow-growing tumour, Mr Altaher, 46, said the surgery had left a lasting impact on his everyday life.

“I had survived the tumour, but I felt like I had lost myself,” he said. “The impact was at two stages: first the shock of realising I had a tumour in the jaw, and then consulting different oral surgeons to understand what could be done.

“Life carried on with an extra thing to worry about until I made up my mind that it was the right time to undergo the procedure to remove it.

“The second stage was having the tumour removed, as I then had to worry about living with only part of a gum and just a few teeth. Eating food was a challenge, and I could not participate in conversations. Even smiling became something I actively avoided.”

Loss of confidence

Mr Altaher runs training events for his personal business in Sharjah and is married with two daughters.

Speaking became a real challenge, as he sounded very different after his surgery, and people found it difficult to understand what he was saying.

After almost three years of living with a severe impediment, Mr Altaher decided to seek the advice of specialist surgeons with experience in rebuilding a face after horrific accidents or injuries.

Doctors at Medcare Dentofaces in Dubai suggested a removable maxillofacial prosthesis as a viable option, as a 3D-printed device custom-made for Mr Altaher would fit perfectly inside what was left of his existing jaw.

Specialist scanners created a digital image of his mouth and then used that information with a 3D printer to create an artificial jaw that would fit perfectly inside his mouth. He has been using the fitting since August.

The device, made from metal and acrylic, can be taken out to be cleaned and simulates the lost teeth and tissue around his jaw and mouth.

A few weeks after wearing the prosthesis, he rejoined family dinners, spoke with confidence, and most importantly, reclaimed his smile.

Recovering from the surgery took around a month, living with painkillers and being unable to eat certain types of food.

“I was unable to work for a month, and I had some special treatment from a prosthodontist to get me used to wearing a device in my mouth,” said Mr Altaher.

“As it was specifically made for me, it requires a special cleaning and care routine. I never imagined I would get my life back.

“Losing the ability to do simple things like eat, speak, or smile happened so suddenly, and for a while it felt like my world had ended.

“The stares and the constant worry about being judged by people when they saw me weighed heavily on me.

“Now I feel like a new person. I can face people again with confidence, and I have rediscovered the joy of living my life fully.”

One in a million case

Ameloblastoma is a relatively rare ailment found in fewer than one in a million people.

However, it is the most common type of odontogenic tumour, accounting for about one per cent of all head and neck tumours, and usually affects adults aged 30 to 60.

While the cost of the procedure was not disclosed, 50 per cent was covered by health insurance.

The team at Medcare Dentofaces was led by Dr Saman Fallahi, a specialist dentist and prosthodontist.

They used advanced digital imaging, precision 3D modelling, and custom casting technologies to craft and fit the removable partial denture.

Not only was this designed to restore vital oral functions, but it also served to reshape Mr Altaher’s face and rebuild his confidence.

“The success of this case is a testament to the importance of sophisticated prosthodontic technology that is usually used in cancer reconstructions,” said Dr Fallahi.

“After the health of a patient is restored following major surgical interventions for tumour removals, the next phase of the prosthetic restoration becomes critical.

“With the aid of technology, we can restore dignity, function, and self-confidence – essential factors everyone should enjoy.”