3D-printed joint used in jaw surgery

A customised 3D-printed jaw joint has successfully been implanted in a 32-year-old man, boosting shares in the maker of the joint.

The Australian share market has dropped in response to the Greek crisis. (AAP) Source: AAP

Shares in the company behind a 3D-printed jaw joint successfully used in corrective surgery have soared.

The customised titanium jaw joint made by 3D Medical was implanted in a 32-year-old man during a five-hour operation at the Epworth-Freemasons Hospital in Melbourne to correct a rare jaw deformity.

The deformity had left the man with a skewed lower face and limited jaw opening.

3D Medical said the patient's severe deformity was an ideal case for the use of its technology, as the process enabled the implant to be perfectly fitted to the patient.

"The successful outcome of this procedure not only achieves a fantastic result for the patient, but it also serves to validate the end-to-end business model of 3D Medical in designing and developing custom implants," chairman Nigel Finch said.

3D Medical shares closed two cents, or 22.22 per cent, higher at 11 cents.