Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 28, 2025
Treatment of Facial Deformities using 3D Planning and Printing of Patient-Specific Implants
Published on: May 23, 2020
An innovative universal protocol for orthognathic surgery three-dimensional virtual simulation
F Melhem-Elias1, B A Q Reis2, F A C Afonso3
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of São Paulo School of Dentistry, São Paulo-SP, Brazil; Private Practice in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
The aim of this technical note is to describe a protocol for three-dimensional virtual simulation of orthognathic surgery that has been designed to be easily implemented, without the need for any special clinical apparatus, software brand, or computed tomography sequence. The protocol comprises innovative concepts and simplified steps for image segmentation, creation of a composite skull, control of the condylar position, and sequencing of bimaxillary surgery. This protocol was applied by the developers in about 2000 cases performed between 2015 and 2022, and has become quite popular among local surgeons. Previous preliminary studies have shown that it meets the accuracy standards for clinical use, although further studies with larger numbers of patients are desirable for additional validation.
