Application of digital technology in diagnosis and treatment of dentofacial deformities

Dento-maxillofacial deformity refers to an abnormal relationship of the volume or shape of the upper and lower jaw bones with the other bones of the craniofacial area. Its correction mainly involves hard tissues, such as the jaws and teeth. In recent years, digital techniques based on virtual surgery, real-time navigation, and 3D printing have developed rapidly in the area of craniomaxillofacial surgery. Digital technology has advantages for preoperative diagnosis, surgical plan formulation, surgical simulation, intraoperative navigation, effect prediction, doctor-patient communication, and young physician training. The Department of Orthognathic and TMJ Surgery of West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, has conducted digitized diagnosis and treatment of dento-facial deformities since 2008 and has established a digital center for the treatment of dentofacial deformities based on equipment such as spiral CT, dental arch laser scanners, facial 3D cameras, virtual surgery software, 3D printers, and sleep-breathing monitoring. The result is a diagnostic and treatment protocol for dentofacial deformity specific to the characteristics of the population of West China. This article combines the latest domestic and foreign literature and comprehensively introduces the application of digital technology for the diagnosis and treatment of dental and maxillofacial deformities.