Fabrication of maxillofacial surgical splints

A method of fabricating a splint, the method comprising:

• obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of a patient;
• adjusting the relative position of the lower and upper arch dentitions with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device;
• adding at least one relative positioning structure to the three-dimensional digital model using the computing device, wherein the relative positioning structure includes separable first and second portions, the first portion connected to and extending from the upper arch dentition and the second portion connected to and extending from the lower arch dentition, wherein distal ends of the first and second portions have complementary mating features;
• generating a physical model of the patient's corrected dentition from the three-dimensional digital model, the physical model including the at least one relative positioning structure that connects the lower and upper arch dentitions of the physical model at the adjusted relative position;
• and
• forming a splint using the physical model.

A method of fabricating surgical splints for use in a surgical procedure, the method comprising:

• obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of a patient having a dental condition;
• adjusting the relative position of the lower and upper arch dentitions with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device;
• adding at least one relative positioning structure to the three-dimensional digital model using the computing device,
• wherein adding the at least one relative positioning structure comprises:
• prompting a user to identify a point on one of the digital model of the lower and the upper arch dentitions;
• receiving an input identifying a point;
• identifying a region surrounding the point having a predetermined radius;
• generating a body of the relative positioning structure extending from the region;
• and
• generating a coupling at an end of the body;
• generating a physical model of the patient's corrected dentition from the three-dimensional digital model, the physical model including the at least one relative positioning structure that connects the lower and upper arch dentitions of the physical model at the adjusted relative position;
• and
• forming a surgical splint using the physical model.

A method of fabricating a splint, the method comprising:

• obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of a patient;
• adjusting the relative position of the lower and upper arch dentitions with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device;
• adding at least one relative positioning structure to the three-dimensional digital model using the computing device,
• wherein adding the at least one relative positioning structure comprises:
• prompting a user to identify a point on one of the digital model of the lower and the upper arch dentitions;
• receiving an input identifying a point;
• identifying a region surrounding the point having a predetermined radius;
• generating a body of the relative positioning structure extending from the region;
• and
• generating a coupling at an end of the body;
• generating a physical model of the patient's corrected dentition from the three-dimensional digital model, the physical model including the at least one relative positioning structure that connects the lower and upper arch dentitions of the physical model at the adjusted relative position;
• and
• forming a splint using the physical model.