[Capstone Project Spotlight] FaceShift: Innovating Craniofacial Care Through 3D Printing Technology
“I truly believe FaceShift can redefine early [craniofacial] intervention and make a lasting impact.”
Craniofacial deformities are among the most common birth defects, affecting approximately 600,000 infants in the United States. These conditions, including ear deformities and cleft lip-palate, can significantly impact a child’s self-esteem, social development, and mental health, primarily driven by social stigmatization. Current treatments available often involve invasive and costly surgical procedures, which are typically delayed until the child is older. This potentially exacerbates the psychosocial challenges the child faces. FaceShift, led by Plastic Surgeon Dr. Alexander Lin at UCSF, is now working to change this reality through innovative solutions.
A Non-Invasive Molding Device for Craniofacial Deformities
FaceShift aims to address craniofacial deformities by using 3D printing technology to minimize facial traumas often associated with invasive surgeries. Recent advances in non-surgical molds have allowed babies to reform parts of their craniofacial anomalies using custom surgical commercial molds since their tissues are still malleable and growing. By using 3D-printing technology, we strive to develop a range of customizable molds to address ear deformities, nasal irregularities, and cleft lip-palate.
How FaceShift Stands Out
Customizable devices are an emerging market with ear molding solutions such as EarWell, EarBuddies, and InfantEar, but FaceShift is a predicate for customizable molding devices through 3D printing. Molding eliminates the need for invasive surgeries which is costly and painful for the patient. With the implementation of 3D-printed molds, similar techniques can be used to maintain nasal structure, lowering the pain associated with the healing process of septoplasties, and correct cleft lip palate deformities, limiting the invasiveness of the correction surgery.
Collaboration with the Master of Translational Medicine (MTM) Program
The Master of Translational Medicine (MTM) team plays a crucial role in bringing FaceShift to life. Their efforts include conducting in-depth market analysis to assess the demand and competitiveness of molding devices, evaluating the intellectual property landscape, and identifying opportunities for technological development. In the upcoming semester, the team plans to build upon their research and prototype a minimum viable product for an ear molding device, an essential step in proving the concept and assessing technical feasibility.
The Vision Behind FaceShift
Dr. Alexander Lin, the project’s capstone sponsor, is a plastic surgeon specializing in craniofacial and maxillofacial surgery at UCSF. With an extensive background in craniofacial surgery and 3D printing, Dr. Lin has a passion for improving the lives of children with facial deformities. With his team at UCSF, Dr. Lin is dedicated to finding better, less invasive solutions for children with these conditions.
FaceShift is an exciting, integral step in that direction. Traditional surgeries for craniofacial deformities have been costly, invasive, and often delayed–causing unnecessary challenges for kids and their families. Now, with 3D-printed, customizable molding devices, Dr. Lin believes they have the opportunity to reshape pediatric facial features earlier in their lives, reducing the need for surgery and improving long-term outcomes.
“I’m passionate about this project because it brings together technology and medicine to create real change,” Dr. Lin explains. “Working with the MTM team, we’re exploring market potential, refining the concept, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. I truly believe FaceShift can redefine early intervention and make a lasting impact,” he adds.
For those interested in learning more about FaceShift or collaborating on this initiative, the team can be reached through UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland.
With its unique approach, FaceShift is not just transforming faces — it’s transforming lives. Reducing the burden of surgery and making corrective solutions available earlier in life, this project has the potential to impact thousands of families, offering children the opportunity to grow up with confidence and without the stigma of craniofacial differences.
