Digital modeling of the jaws for the evaluation of mandibular reconstruction techniques

Abstract

Mandibular reconstruction techniques have frequently been advocated without much knowledge of the biomechanics; hence, many techniques have led to failure of the reconstruction. Defects in the jaws can occur as a result of infection, trauma, or malignancy. Nonreplacement of the bony contours of the jaws leads to significantly poor quality of life and loss of function. The authors will review previous methods of reconstruction briefly in terms of the biomechanics and evaluate newer methods of alloplastic reconstruction using computational modeling of the jaws.