An integrated 3D-driven protocol for surgery first orthognathic approach (SFOA) using virtual surgical planning (VSP)

Abstract

Appropriate case selection, meticulous planning, and execution are essential to the success of surgery-first orthognathic approach (SFOA). Some of the drawbacks associated with the traditional method of SFOA planning include; inaccurate bite registrations, along with tedious laboratory procedures to generate bite-wafer for transitional occlusion. These limitations can be addressed with the rise of contemporary new-age digital orthodontics encompassing a wide spectrum of technologies, such as, intra-oral scanners, prediction and designing software, 3D printers, and artificial intelligence (AI) guided navigation systems. These technologies have shown immense promise and have been extensively used in surgical planning in recent times. It is the need of the hour to generate evidence-based outcomes from high quality randomised control trials (RCTs) and standard core outcomes (COS) for digital planning in SFOA to rise higher in the evidence pyramid ladder. The current paper elaborates, in detail, on the various 3D technologies available and their modes of implementation for SFOA cases.