Application of the Digital Articulator in Surgery-First Approach

Orthognathic surgery with surgery-first concept inevitably leads to an increase in posterior vertical dimension and anterior mandibular movement, causing a relapse. This case report introduces a digital technique for predictable surgical outcome in mandibular setback with the surgery-first orthognathic concept using digital articulator. Intraoral scans and a digital articulator were used to simulate the mandibular position after surgery and to predict postoperative increase in vertical dimension and its expecting forward movement of mandibile. This was incorporated in surgical planning. Sequential cone-beam computed tomography evaluation showed stable condylar position at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Thus, a digital articulator can be used to simulate the surgical outcome and to predict postsurgical increase in vertical dimension for better treatment planning.