Objective Study the methods of establishing 3D photo-elastic model for unilateral maxillary defects. Method Unilateral maxillary defects epoxy model was made according to the silicone impression model of unilateral maxillary defects made by using standard tooth and maxillary model. Result Epoxy unilateral mandibular defects model was developed. The ratio of epoxy resin teeth, alveolar bone and silicone rubber (PDL) elastic modulus was 13.3:1:0.001, which is close to the clinical condition. Conclusions This epoxy-optical model of unilateral maxillary defects with high sensitivity and visual acuity could well meet the demand of the photoelastic experiments.