Three-dimensional cephalometry and three-dimensional skull models in orthodontic/surgical diagnosis and treatment planning

In 25 adult patients with severe dentomaxillofacial deformities, we integratedthree-dimensional (3-D) cephalometry and 3-D-model surgery with individually milled or stereolithographically built skull models in our combined orthodontic/surgical diagnosis and treatment planning. After axial computed tomography scanning and 3-D reconstruction, measurement procedures could be interactively used to assess skeletal asymmetries quantitatively. The 3-D-model surgery represents a new level of treatment prediction in individual morphology. The orthodontic setup and 3-D-model surgery permits a verification of the feasibility of the most suitable mobilization and placement of bone segments. The integration of 3-D cephalometry and 3-D-model surgery in patients with severe asymmetric dentomaxillofacial deformities allowed a higher precision of diagnosis and treatment planning.