Accuracy of mandibular anterior subapical osteotomy by virtual planning in orthognathic surgery using patient-specific implants.

Introduction: Mandibular anterior subapical osteotomy (MASO) is a complementary procedure during orthognathic surgery to correct proclination or extrusion of the anterior incisors when orthodontic movements fail. The increasing use of patient-specific implants (PSI, titanium plates) in orthognathic surgery has extended to this procedure. Digital orthognathic surgery planning involves manufacturing cutting/drilling guides and specific implants to provide better accuracy and allow complex movement with reduced surgical times compared to conventional planning. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of computer-aided surgery with patient-specific implants in mobilising the MASO segment according to planning.

Methods: Eleven consecutive patients with mean age 26.82 years (15-41, SD = 10.65) were treated with MASO in addition to other conventional orthognathic procedures incorporating digital planning and patient-specific implants. A three-dimensional "stl" format file of the mandibular dental arch was obtained using an intraoral scanner at the end of the surgical procedure. The accuracy of the MASO segment displacement imposed by PSI was assessed by comparing preoperative 3D-planned mandibular dental arch with the immediate postoperative 3D-measured arch, using surface superimposition and 7 standard dental landmarks. Deviations between the preoperative and postoperative landmarks were calculated and compared to determine whether MASO segment repositioning is sufficiently accurate to be safely used to reposition the incisor/canine axis.

Results: Quantitative analysis revealed an absolute linear difference of 0.66 mm (SD = 0.51) between preoperative 3D digital dental arch impression and postoperative planned 3D dental arch. Overall, the median absolute discrepancies in the x-axis (right-left direction), y-axis (antero-posterior direction), and z-axis (supero-inferior direction) were respectively 0.56 mm (SD = 0.42), 0.77 mm (SD = 0.45) and 0.65 mm (SD = 0.61).

Conclusion: A high degree of accuracy between the virtual plan and the immediate postoperative result was observed. According to our results, PSI can be used safely with accuracy in MASO as an adjunct to other conventional orthognathic procedures.