A novel method in the design and fabrication of dental splints based on 3D simulation and rapid prototyping technology

The conventional design and fabrication of dental splints (in orthognathic surgery) is handmade through the two-dimensional preoperative planning and model surgery. The accuracy and efficiency of this method is not satisfactory. In order to solve the problems and exploit the trend of computer-assisted surgery, we developed a novel method to design and fabricate a computer-generated dental splint, which is based on three-dimensional model simulation and rapid prototyping technology. After surgical planning and simulation of the 3D model, we optimize the model with respect to both the chewing action (functional) and overall facial appearance (aesthetic). Then, through a Boolean operation of the splint blank and the maxilla-mandibula model, the dental splint model is formed. Finally, this model is fabricated by a rapid prototyping system and applied in a clinical setting. The results show that by using this method, the accuracy and efficiency are improved greatly.