Impact of CAD/CAM technique on operative time in stand-alone genioplasty: A retrospective comparative study

This study investigates the impact of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques on operative time in stand-alone genioplasty compared to conventional methods. CAD/CAM offers advantages like precise virtual planning and the use of patient-specific implants (PSIs), but its effect on surgical time remains uncertain. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent genioplasty for chin advancement between 2012 and 2023, divided into two groups: Group I (conventional technique) and Group II (CAD/CAM technique). Each group included 20 patients, with 10 undergoing forward chin advancement and 10 receiving both forward and downward chin movements. Results showed that the mean operative time was significantly shorter in Group II (49.9 ± 3.69 minutes) than in Group I (54.9 ± 7.51 minutes) (p = 0.012). No significant time savings were observed for forward movement alone. However, significant time savings were noted for combined forward and downward movements, with Group II showing a mean reduction of approximately seven minutes compared to Group I (p = 0.033). While CAD/CAM techniques offer potential time savings, particularly for complex chin movements, these benefits must be weighed against the increased preoperative preparation time. Further research is required to optimize these techniques and fully realize their advantages.