Accurate preoperative planning is mandatory for orthognathic surgery. One of the most important aims of this planning process is obtaining good postoperative dental occlusion. Recently, 3D image-based planning systems have been introduced that enable a surgeon to define different osteotomy planes preoperatively and to assess the result of moving different bone fragments in a 3D virtual environment, even for soft tissue simulation of the face. Although the use of these systems is becoming more accepted in orthognathic surgery, few solutions have been proposed for determining optimal occlusion in the 3D planning process. In this study, a 3D virtual occlusion tool is presented that calculates a realistic interaction between upper and lower dentitions. It enables the surgeon to obtain an optimal and physically possible occlusion easily. A validation study, including 11 patient data sets, demonstrates that the differences between manually and virtually defined occlusions are small, therefore the presented system can be used in clinical practice.

Maxillary distraction osteogenesis is indicated in severe angle class III malocclusions, and severe maxillary hypoplasia among some cleft patients and other craniofacial deformities. Twenty patients, aged 8–48 years (mean 17.8 ± 10.5 SD) with maxillary and midfacial hypoplasia were treated. The follow-up period was 13–65 months (mean 35 ± 16.3 SD). A trans-sinusal maxillary distractor was placed intraorally at each side of the maxilla. The distraction vector was predicted using specialist software, and was transferred to the patients using stereolithographic models and individual templates. A (high) Le Fort I type osteotomy was performed. The amount of activation varied from 8 to 17.5 mm (mean 13.1 ± 2.9 SD). Soft and hard tissue formation resulted in complete healing across the distraction gaps. The distractors are almost completely submerged, and can be left in place as long as necessary to avoid relapse. Wit's appraisal was used to measure the stability of the long-term distraction results. Results up to 5 years after distraction showed considerable maxillary advancement with long-term stability. Ongoing growth of the facial skeleton must be considered when distraction osteogenesis is chosen in growing patients.