At Seattle Jaw Surgery, we uniquely involve patients in the process of their surgical planning. Each person now sits down with Dr. Bobek to “fly through” and adjust the surgical plan. He involves you in your preferences for surgery, customizing the amounts of movement, location of bony cuts and accounting for the particular risks in your anatomy. We find that patients learn much more from seeing and interacting with the actual 3 dimensional planned movements. Unfortunately, most centers give you pdf images of what they think is right. We want you involved!
Here is an example of how planning was used to correct the way the teeth fit while also narrowing the lower jaw. This improved the jawline esthetic while improving the function of the teeth.
At Seattle Jaw Surgery, we are on the cutting edge of planning. We use the latest technology for digital impressions of teeth, low dose, three dimensional CBCT imaging of the face and versatile surgical planning software. This allows for a comfortable patient experience while understanding what will be happening in surgery. Our all digital workflow allows for easy coordination with orthodontists and coordination of care for patients living far away from Seattle.
Jaw surgery planning has not always been this way! Traditional surgical planning involved dental impressions, clinical examination, 2 dimensional xrays and face bows. It is amazing that the surgeons at the time did such an excellent job with such limited data. Dr. Bobek has the unique experience of training in the traditional surgical planning while also being involved in the advancement of virtual surgical planning.
Virtual surgical planning shines in complex situations. Since jaw surgery is performed through very small incisions, the ability to visualize complex movements and trouble shoot difficult situations makes the surgical teams work much easier.
Here, more than 4cm chin advancement is planned with TMJ replacement devices, a segmental upper jaw surgery, and a subapical osteotomy.
Unfortunately, virtual planning isn’t perfectly accurate. Errors commonly are noticed in midlines of the upper and lower teeth, TMJ position, the way the teeth fit, and asymmetry. Our team has planned thousands of cases and we are always on the lookout for better ways to do things!
A good example of how virtual planning can be inaccurate is in head position. Here is an example of how much head position alters the final plan.
