Accuracy of three-dimensional soft tissue prediction in orthognathic cases using three-dimensional soft tissue scan...

This study evaluates the accuracy of 3D surgical planning software in predicting soft tissue outcomes after orthognathic surgery, focusing on various facial landmarks. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 27 patients (12 males, 15 females) with Class II or III malocclusion undergoing single or double jaw surgeries. The correlation between preoperative predictions and postoperative results was assessed using a high-resolution 3D imaging scanner and 3D surgical planning software. The software showed strong accuracy in predicting midline facial landmarks, with average errors within a clinically acceptable range. However, prediction accuracy decreased in the paramedian regions, particularly for Class III malocclusion, where 52 % of points showed significant divergence (P < 0.001). In contrast, Class II cases exhibited only an 11 % discrepancy. Seventeen anatomical landmarks were measured across all patients, and results indicated that Class III patients had lower predictability, especially in the paramedian areas. These findings highlight the potential of 3D surgical planning software for improving surgical planning in orthognathic surgery but also emphasize the need for further refinement to enhance accuracy, particularly for paramedian regions and Class III malocclusions.