Abstract:

BACKGROUND: With the development of the combinations of computer technology and medical science, medical science and engineering, more and more methods are used to reconstruct mandible.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the application and significance of three dimensional (3D) computer technology in the reconstruction of mandibular defects.
METHODS: A computer-based online search of Wanfang, VIP and PubMed databases was performed for articles related to the digital 3D reconstruction of mandible, which were published between January 1999 and October 2011 with the key words of “mandible”, “digital”, “3D reconstruction” and “computer technology” in Chinese or “CAD/CAM”, “mandible” and “3D mandible model” in English in the titles and abstracts.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There are many types of mandibular defects; given the wide individual variation of the mandibular morphology, it is not appropriate to simply use the normal average of mandible instead of the individual mandible to repair. Therefore performing individual design before the mandibular reconstruction is essential. With the wide application of digital technology in the medical field, computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing have effectively solved such problems. An ideal form of the mandible and its anatomical relationship with the maxilla has been designed using the computer; then the physical replication model has been constructed through rapid prototyping technology. It is convenient for the accurate measurement and analysis in vitro as well as the operation design. With the help of computers, bone tissue engineering can build a 3D individual bone tissue which is consistent with the shape of the defects, making the accurate repair of mandibular morphology and function possible.