Objective: In this case report, the feasibility and precision of tridimensional (3D) virtual planning in one patient with craniofacial microsomia is tested using Nemoceph 3D-OS software (Software Nemotec SL, Madrid, Spain) to predict postoperative outcomes on hard tissue and produce CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) surgical splints. Methods: The clinical protocol consists of 3D data acquisition of the craniofacial complex by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and surface scanning of the plaster dental casts. The ''virtual patient'' created underwent virtual surgery and a simulation of postoperative results on hard tissues. Surgical splints were manufactured using CAD/CAM technology in order to transfer the virtual surgical plan to the operating room. Intraoperatively, both CAD/CAM and conventional surgical splints are comparable. A second set of 3D images was obtained after surgery to acquire linear measurements and compare them with measurements obtained when predicting postoperative results virtually.Results: It was found a high similarity between both types of surgical splints with equal fitting on the dental arches. The linear measurements presented some discrepancies between the actual surgical outcomes and the predicted results from the 3D virtual simulation, but caution must be taken in the analysis of these results due to several variables. Conclusions: The reported case confirms the clinical feasibility of the described computer-assisted orthognathic surgical protocol. Further progress in the development of technologies for 3D image acquisition and improvements on software programs to simulate postoperative changes on soft tissue are required.
BackgroundThis study aims to analyze the effectiveness of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the evaluation of the condylar position, angulation and intercondylar distance and assess the changes in these parameters before and after bimaxillary surgery, preformed with the critical movments of Le Fort I osteotomy (for impaction of the maxilla and conterclockwise rotation of the upper occlusal plane) and Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy (BSSO) for mandibular advancement (> 8mm).Material and MethodsTwenty class II patients successfully treated with BSSO of the mandible, in conjunction with Le Fort I osteotomy, were studied to evaluate the condylar changes before and after surgery. The position of the condyle was classified according to the Pullinger & Hollender’s formula in both phases. A MANOVA analysis followed by post-hoc tests were conducted to ascertain if there were statistically significant differences between pre and post surgical variables under study. The agreement of the condylar position’s classification was evaluated resorting to the Kappa statistics.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between the values of the position and angulation of the condyles and intercondylar distance before and after surgery. There was an increase of the axial angle of the left condyle and the frontal angle of both condyles, while there was a decrease of the axial angle of the right condyle, the sagittal angle of both condyles and intercondylar distance.ConclusionsThe CBCT is a useful method for assessing variations of condylar position in detail. It was verified that the critical movements of maxillary impaction associated with the mandibular advancement do not produce significant alterations in the mandibular condyles, however, these tend to perform a posterior and inferior movement.
Key words:Cone-Beam computed tomography, orthognathic surgery, mandibular condyle, osteotomy, le fort, temporomandibular joint.
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