Case Study
Kindness, surgical skills and 3D technologies help bring back a smile for Blessing Makwera
moreinfo@3dsystems.com www.3dsystems.com © Copyright 2015 by 3D Systems Corporation. All rights reserved. It’s easy to be cynical about claims that technologies are “life- changing” when often they simply automate a daily routine. In the case of 3D printing, however, it’s not just marketing hype. Ask Blessing Makwera. After a tragic accident when he was 9, the 23-year-old Zimbabwean man now has the facial structure through which he can express his naturally sunny disposition with a deep, rich smile. The new face was made possible by the joint efforts of Operation of Hope, Sharp Memorial Hospital and 3D Systems. Help from another continent Blessing was injured when a land-mine detonator blew up in his mouth, severely damaging his upper and lower jaws, tongue, lips and teeth. He was