Metal Mouth Message Board

I've seen a ton of (gory) videos online, and I seem to be missing something: for the precision required to get the results that are planned on a computer, what tools are used to move the jaws once they are cut? Also, how do these tools work?

It's somewhat of an odd-ball question, but I have done some of the more advanced DIY stuff around the house, and I make sure I have the right tool for the right job, and when I need to measure something, there is a ruler and level ready to give me the info I need. I'm guessing (hoping actually) surgeons have their own analog equivalents.

streo wrote:I've seen a ton of (gory) videos online, and I seem to be missing something: for the precision required to get the results that are planned on a computer, what tools are used to move the jaws once they are cut? Also, how do these tools work?

if the surgery is entirely pre-planned (some surgeons don't do that) the tools are simply the splints.
the lower jaw is fixated, then the upper jaw mobilized and positioned, relative to the lower jaw, using the first surgery splint.
then the lower jaw is mobilized and positioned using a second surgery splint, relative to the new position of the upper jaw.

the splints are manufactured using your molds so that the new jaw positions are according to plan using the above procedure.