Orthognathic surgery includes corrections of the upper and lower jaw. These procedures currently are completely 3D virtually planned, based on 3D CT scans, 3D photography and clincal measurements. With high accuracy the position of the dentition and corresponding jaw is determined. Due to the use of patient specific 3D printed surgical guides and bone fixation plates, the 3D virtual plan is translated to the patient with great accuracy.
In the treatment of cancer in the oral cavity, during surgical removal of the tumor, a continuous resection of the jaw can be required. This resection, currently, is always based on a 3D virtual planning. This planning enables exact planning of the margin around the tumor and the relation to the surrounding jaw bone. A in Groningen developed method enables the inclusion of multiple scanning modalities, such as CT, MRI and PET-scans, into a single 3D virtual plan. This results in higher accuracy and certainty that the tumor is removed from the bone with sufficient margin. The same 3D technology is also used to design patient specific 3D printed surgical guides and reconstruction plates.
A higly specific domain in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is the temporomandibular (TMJ), or jaw-joint surgery. In Groningen a unique TMJ prosthesis was developed. This is a fully customized prosthesis that is based on a 3D virtual planning. The prosthesis is placed in people who have a disfuctional TMJ and who experience substantial restriction in movements of the jaw or continuous pain. By the use of patient specific 3D printed surgical guides, the TMJ prosthesis is places with great accuracy.
The field of OMFS knows several domains in which 3D technology is used. There is for instance a routine in 3D planning and guided placement of dental implant insertion. Also within the facial traumatology several procedures are prepared using 3D virtual planning and performed by means of computer assisted surgery, augmented reality and 3D printed guides. Each of these applications are developed, prepared and evaluated in the 3D Lab.