CAD-CAM construction of an auricular template for craniofacial implant positioning: a novel approach to diagnosis

A novel approach to the diagnosis of bone available for craniofacial implant positioning is discussed in a case that required ear ablation for tumor removal. A mirrored volume of the healthy ear was rapidly prototyped for a clinical trial in an appropriate position relative to the patient's face. Three ideal positions for the implant were chosen in the inner of the volume of the mirrored ear. The same positions were transferred to a diagnostic template that was rapidly prototyped with a positioning arm extending to the zygomatic arch. Computed tomography (CT) revealed errors in the planning of the implant position and, as a clinical consequence, an implant site was excluded from surgical planning. A virtual elaboration for maxillofacial implant positioning was used to define the correct implant site in relation to the available bone, and two craniofacial implants were correctly positioned in the temporal bone.