A new system for computer-aided intraoperative simulation and postoperative facial appearance prediction of orthognathic surgery

This paper presents a new system for computer-aided orthognathic surgery which aims at correcting dento-facial defects and keeping patient away from much radiation and high cost of CT or MRI imaging. The system allows simulating the surgical correction on virtual 3-D model of the skull reconstructed with the acquisition of radiographs of three orthogonal views and facial mesh data generated by 3-D laser scanner and the use of build-in skull template mesh. Surgery simulation includes maxilla Le Fort I and mandible bilateral SSRO osteotomies by interactive cutting of jaw bone. With the help of a special registration procedure, we are able to align the reconstructed skull model and a facial skin model. Upon fulfilment of the registration and virtual osteotomies, the system provides further assistance with predicting postoperative appearance of patient. Finally, we apply the system on one patient in clinical practice and achieve satisfied result.