A narrative review of present knowledge and digital approaches in orthognathic surgery

Anomalies of jaw position and shape affect approximately 10 % of the population. They can have a significant impact on quality of life, which is why the continuous improvement of therapeutic approaches is a key concern in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The aim of this narrative review article is to examine the development of orthognathic surgery in the context of traditional and innovative methods.

A Pubmed-based selective literature search was performed considering literature predominantly from 2022 to 2023. Search terms were "orthognathic surgery" in combination with "virtual surgical planning" and "3D printing".

Depending on the extent of the existing anomalies, there are purely orthodontic or combined orthodontic-surgical treatment approaches. Technological innovations in particular are changing both the therapeutic approach and the planning of surgical treatment to an almost completely digital workflow. This change can lead to greater precision in treatment and more efficient planning, resulting in reduced costs and an overall improvement in clinical outcomes, including patient satisfaction.

This study presents an overview of the field of orthognathic surgery and discusses developments and challenges for the future. With traditional approaches being time-consuming and prone to error digital technologies like VSP, AI and PSIs improve accuracy and efficiency, though challenges persist.