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Rapid prototyping not only makes this lady smile, it was key in allowing her to do so. The photo from our front page shows this patient of Dr. Ninian Peckitt one year after major surgery to replace her entire upper jaw with a titanium implant, a result of cancer. The use of stereolithography models to plan the surgery and implants resulted in enormous benefits. The duration of the operation was reduced from approximately 20 hours to just 2.5. No tissue donor site on the patient was required, the margin of safety for the patient was greatly enhanced, and no post-operative intensive care was required. The costs for the procedure were also considerably reduced, a not insignificant consideration in these days of managed health care.     Customized titanium maxilla and overdenture, and composite photo showing placement within the patient. The patient experienced improved rehabilitation, has normal speech and swallowing and the aesthetics and function of the implant are excellent. She is disease-free after 6 years and is still smiling. While this outcome is extraordinary, and no broad conclusion can be drawn from a single case, Dr. Peckitt feels that priority should be given to the development of these techniques on an international scale. He is a leading advocate of the application of engineering-based methods to surgical procedures and has been asked to present his views in a paper to be published soon in the British Medical Journal. Several of the methods and technologies he has developed have resulted in patents both in the US and abroad, and are available through ComputerGen Implants Ltd., of which he is a principal. Still smiling after six years. All photos courtesy Dr. Ninian Peckitt and ComputerGen Implants Ltd. Dr. Peckitt feels that there is a tremendous opportunity to improve the quality of health care while reducing the costs of providing it, by applying rapid prototyping, reverse engineering and other advanced engineering techniques. He is seeking additional funding to develop these ideas further. For more info contact: Ninian Peckitt FRCS FFD RCS FDS RCS Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon ComputerGen Implants Ltd Email: peckitt@maxfac.com