Oromandibular tumors or osteoradionecrosis often lead to extensive composite defects encompassing intraoral, bone and extraoral tissues. A single flap cannot simultaneously offer sufficient bone and soft tissue. The combination of free flaps could be a prospective approach to overcome the challenge. The study aims to assess the efficacy of virtual surgical planning (VSP) and 3D printing assisted fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap (FOSCF) combined with anterolateral thigh flaps (ALT) in reconstructing extensive composite defects in the oromandibular region. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 8 patients who underwent reconstruction using FOSCFs combined with ALTs. Post-surgical excision of the lesions, we obtained mean values for the defects of intraoral soft tissue, bone, extraoral soft tissue, namely, being 42.7 cm2, 96 mm, and 68.9 cm2. The mean surgical procedures took 712.5 min. A total of 16 flaps were harvested and transplanted for the 8 patients, with all successfully surviving. Postoperatively, complications manifested as localized intraoral infections in 2 cases, intermuscular vein thrombosis in another 2 cases, and pulmonary infections in 2 patients. Two patients unfortunately experienced tumor recurrence, at 12 and 3 months post-operation respectively. For the surviving 6 patients, the average follow-up period was 12.2 months. Regarding patient satisfaction, one expressed dissatisfaction with the contour of the mandible, and two exhibited moderate trismus. Objective assessments identified 1 case of oral incontinence and 2 cases where external flap contractures were observed. All 8 patients experienced restoration of masticatory function and were able to consume a soft diet within a month post-surgery. VSP/3D printing assisted FOSCFs combined with ALTs can be performed safely to reconstruct the extensive composite tissue defects in our study, with desirable esthetic and functional results, and it is a reliable option in selecting patients with defects involving multiple tissue types. However, the benefits of this method needed more cases to validate.

Orthognathic surgery has undergone multiple modifications in timing approaches, among them, surgery first represents an approach that potentially reduces length of time and shows earlier results in facial changes, nevertheless, it has been used mostly to treat Class III skeletal anomalies. Also, fixed appliances orthodontics is the most common choice, however, recent literature shows clear aligners can achieve the same results. This paper presents a case of a 20-year-old female with a skeletal Class II treated with surgery first and clear aligners protocol, with a literature review of surgery first in Class II patients; evidencing that this approach can be suitable to achieve satisfactory and stable results, although larger patient samples are needed.

Oral rehabilitation after maxillary oncological resection is challenging. This case report presents the rehabilitation of a 65-year-old Caucasian male adenoid cystic carcinoma patient using a myo-cutaneous thigh flap, zygomatic implant placement, and an immediate fixed provisional prosthesis made with computer-aided technologies. The patient presented complaints of asymptomatic enlarged swelling of 5-mm on the right hard hemi-palate. There was an oro-antral communication deriving from a previous local excision. Preoperative radiographs showed the involvement of the right maxilla, maxillary sinus, and nose with a suspect involvement of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. Treatment was planned through a fully digital workflow. A partial maxillectomy was performed endoscopically, and maxilla was reconstructed using an anterolateral thigh free flap. Two zygomatic implants were inserted simultaneously. A provisional fix full-arch prosthesis was manufactured preoperatively through a fully digital workflow and was placed in the operating room. Following post-operative radiotherapy, the patient received a final hybrid prosthesis. During the follow-up period of two years, the patient reported good function, aesthetics, and significant enhancement in quality of life. According to the results of this case, the protocol represented can be a promising alternative for oral cancer patients with large defects, and can lead to an improved quality of life.

BACKGROUND: The need for whole mandibular bone reconstruction and bilateral joint replacement is fortunately rare, but it is an extremely challenging topic in maxillofacial surgery, due to its functional implications. CAD-CAM techniques development has opened new broad horizons in the surgical planning of complex maxillofacial reconstructions, in terms of accuracy, predictability, and functional cosmetic results. The review of the literature has revealed a small number of scientific reports on total mandibulectomy including the condyles, with only eleven cases from 1980. Most of the works describe reconstructions secondary to dysplastic or inflammatory diseases affecting the lower jaw. The aim of this work, reporting a rare case of massive fibrous dysplasia of the whole mandible, is to share our experience in the management of extended mandibular and bilateral joint reconstruction, using porous titanium patient-specific implants.
METHODS: The authors present a 20-year-old male patient suffering from massive bone fibrous dysplasia of the mandible. The mandibular body and both the rami and the condylar processes had been involved, causing severe functional impairment, tooth loss, and facial deformation. The young patient, after repeated ineffective conservative surgical treatments, has required a biarticular mandibular replacement. Using virtual surgical planning (VSP) software, the authors, in collaboration with medical engineers, have created a custom-made original titanium porous mandibular implant, suspended from a bilateral artificial temporomandibular joint. The mandibular titanium implant body has been specifically designed to support soft tissues and to fix, in the alveolar region, a free fibular bone graft, for delayed dental implant prosthetic rehabilitation.
CONCLUSIONS: The surgical and technical details, as well as the new trends in mandibular reconstructions using porous titanium implants, are reported, and discussed, reviewing literature reports on this topic. Satisfactory functional and cosmetic restorative results have been obtained, and no major complications have occurred. The patient, currently in the 18th month clinical and radiological follow-up, has recently completed the functional restoration program by an implant-supported full-arch dental prosthesis.

Background: When maxillary transversal expansion is needed, two protocols of treatment can be used: a maxillary orthodontic expansion followed by a classical bimaxillary osteotomy or a bimaxillary osteotomy with maxillary segmentation. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of segmented Le Fort I osteotomy using computer-aided orthognathic surgery and patient-specific titanium plates in patients who underwent a bimaxillary osteotomy for occlusal trouble with maxillary transversal insufficiencies. Methods: A virtual simulation of a Le Fort I osteotomy with maxillary segmentation, a sagittal split ramus osteotomy, and genioplasty (if needed) was conducted on a preoperative three-dimensional (3D) model of each patient’s skull using ProPlan CMF 3.0 software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). Computer-assisted osteotomy saw-and-drill guides and patient-specific implants (PSIs, titanium plates) were produced and used during the surgery. We chose to focus on the maxillary repositioning accuracy by comparing the preoperative virtual surgical planning and the postoperative 3D outcome skulls using surface superimpositions and 13 standard dental and bone landmarks. Errors between these preoperative and postoperative landmarks were calculated and compared to discover if segmental maxillary repositioning using PSIs was accurate enough to be safely used to treat transversal insufficiencies. Results: A total of 22 consecutive patients—15 females and 7 males, with a mean age of 27.4 years—who underwent bimaxillary computer-assisted orthognathic surgery with maxillary segmentation were enrolled in the study. All patients presented with occlusion trouble, 13 with Class III malocclusions (59%) and 9 (41%) with Class II malocclusions. A quantitative analysis revealed that, overall, the mean absolute discrepancies for the x-axis (transversal dimension), y-axis (anterior−posterior dimensions), and z-axis (vertical dimension) were 0.59 mm, 0.74 mm, and 0.56 mm, respectively. The total error rate of maxillary repositioning was 0.62 mm between the postoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the preoperatively planned 3D skull. According to the literature, precision in maxilla repositioning is defined by an error rate (clinically relevant) at each landmark of <2 mm and a total error of <2 mm for each patient. Conclusions: A high degree of accuracy between the virtual plan and the postoperative result was observed.

The utilize of surgical articulator MT may lead to a major reduction in time and effort that usually consuming in conventional model surgery and promoted for precise planning and surgery. It can be useful in the management of several cases of dentofacial deformities when virtual surgical planning is either unaffordable or unavailable.

Reconstruction of mandibular defects after trauma or tumor resection is one of the most challenging problems facing maxillofacial surgeons. Historically, various autografts and alloplastic materials have been used in the reconstruction of these types of defects. The use of individualized designed biomaterials has opened new possibilities in reconstructive surgery, and now, it is possible to use the patient\'s computed tomography (CT) to construct patient-specific implants (PSIs). A case of a large mandibular tumor resection and reconstruction of the defect using a customized 3D-printed titanium implant is described. The treatment had excellent postoperative esthetic and functional results without complications. CONCLUSION: Because titanium implants are customizable, easily workable especially with help of 3D virtual planning techniques, bioinert, and nonporous, they represent an ideal alloplastic material for mandibular reconstruction.

This article describes the complex dental treatment of a 17-year-old girl with skeletal Class I, severe mandibular asymmetry, maxillary retrusion, normodivergent pattern, left canine and molar Class II, canting of the occlusal plane, lateral left cross-bite, deep bite, upper and lower incisors retrusion and an increased curve of Spee. To achieve optimal results, a multidisciplinary approach to treatment was adopted involving orthodontics and maxillofacial surgery. The surgical phase was supported by virtual surgical planning with dedicated software. Thanks to the development of the three-dimensional radiological findings, a visualization and an accurate simulation of all the surgery-steps help to determine reproducibly and with high precision the best adjustments to do. Firstly, the excessive curve of Spee, the incisors retrusion and the deep bite were corrected with orthodontic treatment. The surgical treatment plan consisted of a palatal expansion, maxillary advancement, zygomatic grafts, bilateral sagittal osteotomy for mandibular correction and genioplasty. Orthodontic treatment was continued to finish with all the objectives achieved. After two years, the patient was satisfied with her facial and dental treatment results and with her oral function as well.

Metastatic disease to the oral cavity is rare. Patients with metastasis to the oral cavity may present with swelling, pain, and paresthesia and require evaluation by providers trained in managing pathoses of the oral cavity and surrounding structures. This report describes the case of a 78-year-old man with painful enlargement of the right posterior mandible that caused paresthesia. An open biopsy procedure resulted in significant blood loss and the need for percutaneous needle biopsy. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to make the diagnosis of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma in this patient, whose primary malignancy was previously unknown. Composite resection of the metastatic lesion and reconstruction were performed with the use of virtual surgical planning, an osteomyocutaneous free tissue transfer, and a custom reconstruction plate. This case highlights the importance of dental professionals in the diagnosis and management of lesions of the head and neck and adds to the literature on metastatic lesions to the region.

The aim of this study was to make an economic analysis and evaluation of a low-cost virtual surgical planning (VSP) protocol that was developed in house, and based on open-source software and a desktop 3-dimensional printer. All eight patients between April 2014 and 2015 who had been treated by mandibular reconstructions with microvascular fibular flaps that had been planned using the protocol were retrospectively analysed for accuracy, time, and cost. Median differences for planned compared with postoperative intercondylar distance, intergonial distance, and gonial angle did not differ significantly. A median (range) labour time of 85 (€57-124) minutes was needed. An evaluation of cost, including labour, showed an additional median (range) cost/patient of € 276 (€257.50-297.25). With the acquisition cost of the 3-dimensional printer omitted, there was a negligible additional cost/patient of €44.75 (€26.25-66). All planning was done by the junior surgeon and there was a steep learning curve. Our new VSP protocol is cost-effective, easy to use, and has an accuracy comparable with that of a standard VSP protocol. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of an open-source software protocol in which the labour costs of the planning by a surgeon are included.