Abstract
Maxillofacial reconstruction after tumor resection has become challenging due to patients’ demand for restoration of esthetics and oro-pharyngeal functions. It requires radical resection of the tumor, stable bone fixation, well-vascularized soft tissue coverage, and minimized postoperative deviation of the mandible. To achieve these goals, specialists in various fields should work together and create multidisciplinary treatment plans for patients. Especially, surgeons and maxillofacial prosthodontists must discuss the design of the reconstructive surgery with the desired prosthetics in mind because surgical results greatly affect maxillofacial prosthodontics rehabilitation. Advances in digital technology, such as surgical simulation and 3D printing, have improved understanding of the surgical process and prediction of postoperative conditions. In our hospital, a digital workflow has been introduced to maxillofacial reconstruction in order to facilitate surgical planning and postoperative rehabilitation.
This article describes a multidisciplinary approach to maxillofacial reconstruction using a digital workflow and reports the role of the maxillofacial prosthodontist in the approach.
