Novel 3D Reconstruction Method for Mandibular Distraction Planning

Abstract

In order to plan mandibular distraction, 3D techniques of volumetric reconstruction and image processing were applied. The 3D model of the mandible was obtained from standard 2D Computed Tomography images using a suitable 2D-to-3D image processing. The end purpose of this study is to provide the surgeon with a 3D model of the patient mandible where it would be possible to find, in the pre-surgical phase, the exact point of implantation with respect to patient's anatomy and to build a customized distractor properly fitting the bone surface of the patient.