Computer-assisted orthognathic surgery: feasibility study using multiple CAD/CAM surgical splints

Objective We present a virtual planning protocol incorporating a patented 3–surgical splint technique for orthognathic surgery. The purpose of this investigation was to demonstrate the feasibility and validity of the method in vivo. Materials and Methods The protocol consisted of (1) computed tomography (CT) or cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) maxillofacial imaging, optical scan of articulated dental study models, segmentation, and fusion; (2) diagnosis and virtual treatment planning; (3) computed-assisted design and manufacture (CAD/CAM) of the surgical splints; and (4) intraoperative surgical transfer. Validation of the accuracy of the technique was investigated by applying the protocol to 8 adult class III patients treated with bimaxillary osteotomies. The virtual plan was compared with the postoperative surgical result using image fusion of CT/CBCT dataset by analysis of measurements between hard and soft tissue landmarks relative to reference planes. Results The virtual planning approach showed clinically acceptable precision for the position of the maxilla (