Accuracy Assessment of Occlusal Repositioning Wafer Construction Using Virtual Planned Model Surgery

Abstract

The digital era has dictated a shift in model surgical procedures as well as fabrication of the surgical wafers. In orthognathic surgery the shift from conventional to virtual wafers has been adopted by many centers. This study was performed in an attempt to document the accuracy associated with the transition. Seven patients with dentofacial deformities undergoing orthognathic surgery were included in the study. Both conventional and virtual wafers were prepared for all patients. The variation in the accuracy between both wafers was assessed via absolute difference in maxilla-mandibular movement achieved via the constructed wafers in vitro. Wafers tested revealed a mean deviation in intermediate wafer group of 0.64± 0.33 mm; while the mean deviation in final wafer group of 0.53± 0.10 mm. This study documented the accuracy of the virtually constructed wafer as compared to its conventional counterpart. Furthermore, the virtual planning protocol adopted was verified