Evaluation of the accuracy of a custom-made plate in maxillary repositioning

Orthognathic surgery has become increasingly accurate with the integration of computerized technologies. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of custom-made plates in transferring the three-dimensional virtual plan to intraoperative maxillary repositioning.

This study included 10 patients. A digital surgical simulation technique was used for preoperative planning. The surgical components-osteotomy/plates, locating guides, and customized titanium plates-were fabricated using computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques, replacing the need for a surgical splint. Postoperative outcomes were assessed using unaltered anatomical landmarks from the preoperative virtual plan. Absolute discrepancies in translational and rotational movements between the planned and actual postoperative positions were measured through superimposition analysis. This evaluation assessed the precision of custom-made plates in transferring the virtual surgical plan, identifying deviations in the cephalocaudal, mediolateral, and anteroposterior directions that could influence functional and esthetic outcomes.

No statistically significant differences were observed for any landmarks across the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. The greatest variability was noted at the posterior nasal spine landmark in the axial plane (1.7 mm), compared with the coronal (0.9 mm) and sagittal (0.5 mm) planes.

Customized titanium plates effectively transferred the virtual surgical plan for maxillary repositioning without the need for an occlusal splint. However, potential posterior interference should be considered during surgical execution.