Virtual Planning and 3D Printing in Contemporary Orthognathic Surgery

Abstract

Orthognathic surgery is a powerful tool to improve facial balance, form, and function. Virtual planning and three-dimensional printing has improved our ability to visualize complex anatomy, consider various iterations and execute complex movements, and create accurate splints, plates, and cutting guides. This article will outline the distinct advantages of the use of virtual surgical planning over traditional planning, and it will explore the utility of computer-aided design and technology within contemporary orthognathic surgery, including its expanded applications and limitations.

Current Trends in Orthognathic Surgery

“…With the advent of CASP, orthognathic surgery has become more precise in execution and far less cumbersome in surgical planning [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Rather than classically performing model surgery on plaster molds and a facebow registration, the modern orthognathic surgeon can generate a digital three-dimensional skull model on which virtual surgery can be performed, allowing for real-time analysis and visualization of these anticipated movements.…”

“…In the 1990s and the early part of the 21st century, iterative advancement of the facial skeleton via distraction osteogenesis added greatly to the armamentarium of techniques for surgeons to address congenital and developmental facial skeletal differences [9][10][11][12]. Advances in digital imaging and analysis allowed for increased understanding of the three-dimensional movements of the jaws and creation of surgical plans in a virtual environment, enabling surgeons to navigate complex anatomy and improve the interventions [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Computer-assisted surgical planning subsequently expanded to include computer-assisted design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) of patient-specific cutting guides and implants, enhancing the safety and efficacy of these procedures, allowing for increased efficiency for straightforward interventions and increased versatility for more complex interventions (Figure 2) [20][21][22].…”

Integrating Virtual Surgical Planning and 3D-Printed Tools with Iliac Bone Grafts for Orbital and Zygomatic Reconstruction in Hemifacial Microsomia Patients

“…The advent of virtual surgical planning (VSP) and 3D printing technologies has revolutionized the management of HFM, offering enhanced accuracy and predictability, and allowing for tailored patient-specific solutions [10][11][12]. Studies have shown the effectiveness of VSP and 3D-printed surgical guides in improving surgical outcomes [13,14].…”