Technology in Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction

Recent advancements in oral and maxillofacial surgery include the use of virtual environments for the purposes of surgical planning, patient education, and surgical training. Digital technology such as computer-aided design and computer-aided modeling software programs assists with three-dimensional analysis and surgical planning for complex deformities. Higher-resolution and more efficient imaging techniques such as surface imaging and high-resolution three-dimensional computed tomography have allowed precision for fabricating exceptionally accurate customized surgical models and guides, and the use of intraoperative navigation allowing the surgeon to take their virtual plan into the real-life surgical environment. These technological advances are particularly useful in the reconstruction of congenital and acquired craniomaxillofacial anomalies, head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgery, the management of craniomaxillofacial trauma, temporomandibular joint surgery, and orthognathic surgery. This chapter discusses the use of these technologies, as well as their advantages and draw back.