Amalgamation of Cranio-maxillofacial Surgery and Technological Development

Abstract

How often should results go according to plan? No surgeon is perfect all the time, yet surgery is a discipline driven by results. Surgeons have therefore turned to technology to improve not only their outcomes but also how often they achieve high-quality results. Almost entire human creativity today, from the standpoint of its efficiency and expediency, is conditioned with the existence of technology. Progresses in computer-based technologies including virtual reality simulators, augmented reality, virtual plastic surgery software and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing systems have resulted in new modalities for instruction and practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The efficiency offered by new technology to conventional model surgery can return hours to a surgeon's day through a more streamlined work-up and smoother intra-operative experience with confidence in the surgical accuracy. Continuous quality improvement has been a mantra in health care for many years. Surgeons are always looking to improve not only the quality of their results but also the consistency with which these results are achieved. To this end, new technology is being incorporated into or replacing traditional diagnostics and treatment planning.

Keywords: AlterImage; Brainlab; CBCT; Crisalix; Dental software; Dolphin; NemoCeph.

Fig. 1

Superimposition of skeletal and soft tissue images during surgical treatment planning

Fig. 2

Passive robot arm

Fig. 3

The sterile pointer navigator replaced by integrated sterile instrument during surgery

Fig. 4

Simulation of lip surgery

Fig. 5

Simulation of face lift surgery

Fig. 6

Removing dark discoloration

Fig. 7

Repairing a chipped tooth

Fig. 8

CBCT imaging for placement of multiple implants

Fig. 9

Combined CBCT image with CAD/CAM image and jaw motion tracking data

Fig. 10

Stereolithographic skulls