Jaw in a day: total maxillofacial reconstruction using digital technology
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Updated: May 11, 2026

3D Planning and Printing of Patient Specific Implants for Reconstruction of Bony Defects
Published on: August 4, 2020
Jamie P Levine1, Jin Soo Bae, Marc Soares
1New York, N.Y. From the Departments of Plastic Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Microsurgery, and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, New York University Medical Center; and Plastic Surgery, Manhattan Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Background:
Tumors of the mandible are complex, often requiring replacement of bone, soft tissue, and teeth. The fibula flap has become a routine procedure in large tumors of the jaw, providing bone and soft tissue at the time of the resection. In current practice, dental reconstruction is delayed for 3 to 6 months, leaving the patient without teeth in the interim. This can be disfiguring and anxiety provoking for the patient.
Methods:
In this article, the authors present three patients with benign tumors of the mandible who underwent virtually guided resection, fibula reconstruction, and insertion of an implant-retained dental prosthesis in one operation. In addition, the authors report their early experience using this technique in the maxilla.
Results:
The authors present a case series of three patients with benign mandibular tumors and one patient with a benign maxillary tumor who underwent total reconstruction using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technology in a single stage.
Conclusions:
In the right situation, total mandibular reconstruction is possible in a single stage. This is demonstrated by the successful outcomes of these patients.
Clinical Question/Level Of Evidence:
Therapeutic, V.
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