Freehand Condyle-Positioning During Orthognathic Surgery: Postoperative Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Shows Only Minor Morphometric Alterations of the Temporomandibular Joint Position.

Objectives: Purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) position after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) of the mandible by the help of pre- and postoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

Materials And Methods: A collective of n = 78 patients was investigated between 2009 and 2011 before and after BSSO of the mandible in mono- or bimaxillary orthognathic surgery procedures. No intraoperative fixation of the condyles was administered.

Computer-aided approach for customized cell-based defect reconstruction.

Computer-aided technologies like computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and a lot of other features like finite element method (FEM) have been recently employed for use in medical ways like in extracorporeal bone tissue engineering strategies. Aim of this pilot experimental study was to test whether autologous osteoblast-like cells cultured in vitro on individualized scaffolds can be used to support bone regeneration in a clinical environment. Mandibular bone defects were surgically introduced into the mandibles of Göttinger minipigs and the scaffold of the defect site was modelled by CAD/CAM techniques.

Principles of cartilage tissue engineering in TMJ reconstruction.

Diseases and defects of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), compromising the cartilaginous layer of the condyle, impose a significant treatment challenge. Different regeneration approaches, especially surgical interventions at the TMJ's cartilage surface, are established treatment methods in maxillofacial surgery but fail to induce a regeneration ad integrum. Cartilage tissue engineering, in contrast, is a newly introduced treatment option in cartilage reconstruction strategies aimed to heal cartilaginous defects.

Image-based extracorporeal tissue engineering of individualized bone constructs.

Purpose: Computer-aided technologies have been recently employed for use in extracorporeal bone tissue engineering strategies. In this pilot animal experimental study, the intention was to test whether autologous osteoblast-like cells cultured in vitro on individualized scaffolds can be used to support bone regeneration in a clinical environment.

Materials And Methods: For this purpose, mandibular bone defects were surgically introduced into the mandibles of minipigs and the scaffold of the defect site was modeled by computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technique.