Rebuilding a Face, Restoring a Life: How 3D Printing Gave Dave Richards a Second Chance

A major breakthrough came when Richards was referred to the pioneering 3D medical center at North Bristol NHS Trust. This facility, the first of its kind in the UK, integrates 3D scanning, design, and printing technology to create highly realistic facial prosthetics for patients who have suffered severe disfigurement. Using digital imaging and advanced resin materials, specialists were able to design a facial prosthesis tailored precisely to Richards’s anatomy, matching his skin tone, hair color, and even the subtle asymmetries of his original features.