Our Summary

This study looked at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in different stages of orthognathic surgery, which is surgery that corrects conditions of the jaw and face related to structure, growth, sleep apnea, TMJ disorders, malocclusion problems owing to skeletal disharmonies, or other orthodontic problems. They found that AI can be very helpful in diagnosing the need for surgery, planning the treatment, predicting how the soft tissue will react, evaluating the surgery’s outcome, and assessing potential complications.

More specifically, AI was able to correctly identify the need for surgery 75%-95.5% of the time. For planning the treatment, AI was used to design the surgery and determine reference points on the bone with an error rate of around 4mm. In terms of predicting soft tissue reaction, the success rate was between 64.3% and 100%. AI was also used to quantitatively assess the impact of surgery on facial attractiveness and symmetry, as well as improvements in physical appearance. Finally, AI was highly accurate (98.7%) in predicting systemic infection after surgery and had a small error margin (7.4 mL) for predicting blood loss.

The researchers conclude that AI could be a good alternative to traditional methods, as it could speed up the procedure and have similar accuracy to conventional methods.

FAQs

  1. How can artificial intelligence (AI) be used in orthognathic surgery?
  2. What is the accuracy rate of AI in identifying the need for orthognathic surgery and predicting potential complications?
  3. How does the use of AI in orthognathic surgery compare to conventional methods?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about orthognathic surgery is to discuss with them the potential benefits of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their treatment plan. AI can assist in diagnosing the need for surgery, planning the treatment, predicting soft tissue reactions, evaluating outcomes, and assessing potential complications. By utilizing AI technology, patients may experience faster and more accurate results, leading to a successful orthognathic surgery outcome.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended orthognathic surgery include those with:

  1. Severe malocclusion or misalignment of the jaws
  2. Facial asymmetry or deformities
  3. Sleep apnea or other breathing problems related to jaw structure
  4. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
  5. Skeletal disharmonies causing bite problems
  6. Orthodontic issues that cannot be corrected with braces alone

Overall, orthognathic surgery is recommended for patients who have significant functional or aesthetic concerns related to their jaw and facial structure.

Timeline

Before orthognathic surgery, a patient typically undergoes a thorough evaluation by a team of dental and medical professionals, including orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and other specialists. This evaluation may include dental and facial x-rays, photographs, and dental impressions to determine the need for surgery and create a treatment plan.

During the planning phase, AI can be used to assist in designing the surgery and determining reference points on the bone with minimal error. This helps ensure precise and accurate execution of the surgical plan.

After surgery, AI can be used to predict how the soft tissue will react to the changes in the bone structure, assess the surgery’s outcome in terms of facial attractiveness and symmetry, and predict potential complications such as systemic infection or blood loss. This helps in monitoring the patient’s progress post-surgery and ensuring optimal outcomes.

Overall, the use of AI in orthognathic surgery can help improve the efficiency and accuracy of the procedure, leading to better patient outcomes and satisfaction.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Can AI be used in my specific case to help diagnose the need for orthognathic surgery?
  2. How can AI assist in planning my treatment and determining the best surgical approach for my condition?
  3. How accurately can AI predict the soft tissue reaction to the surgery and the potential outcome of the procedure?
  4. Can AI help assess potential complications or risks associated with the surgery?
  5. What are the benefits of using AI in orthognathic surgery compared to traditional methods?
  6. Are there any limitations or potential drawbacks to using AI in orthognathic surgery?
  7. How will AI be integrated into my overall treatment plan and how will it impact my recovery process?
  8. Can AI be used for follow-up assessments after the surgery to monitor my progress and evaluate the success of the procedure?
  9. Will AI be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools or technologies to enhance the accuracy of the surgical outcome?
  10. How can I stay informed and involved in the decision-making process when AI is being used in my orthognathic surgery?

Reference

Authors: Motamedian SR, Mohaghegh S, Niazmand M, Mohammad-Rahimi H, Ahmadi N, Yaseri M, Boroojeni HSH. Journal: Biomed Res Int. 2025 Jun 12;2025:8284581. doi: 10.1155/bmri/8284581. eCollection 2025. PMID: 40538834