For the first time in India, four patients have received a customized Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) implant designed and manufactured right here at home. The procedures were carried out at the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), New Delhi, marking a huge leap for Indian dentistry and medical technology.
The implant was developed under the ICMR-DHR MedTech initiative at IIT Delhi’s mPRAGATI facility. What makes this special? Until now, TMJ implants had to be imported—making them extremely expensive and often out of reach for patients. This new “Made in India” version costs just a fraction of imported ones (nearly one-fifth of even industry-made Indian devices) and can be manufactured in just two weeks. That means patients get faster, more affordable, and equally effective care.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda called the achievement “a milestone for India’s MedTech ecosystem,” praising how clinical expertise, government policy, and research innovation worked hand-in-hand to make it happen.
ICMR Director General Dr. Rajiv Bahl also highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration—dentists, surgeons, engineers, and researchers all coming together to solve a real clinical problem.
So what does this mean for us as dentists? The implant is designed to improve jaw function, stability, and patient comfort, while a unique muscle attachment feature supports better recovery and even enhances facial aesthetics. In other words, it’s not just about function, but also about restoring confidence and quality of life.
For patients struggling with TMJ disorders, this development could be life-changing. For the dental community, it’s proof that indigenous innovation is no longer a dream—it’s happening now, and it’s opening doors for more patient-specific, affordable treatment options.
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