RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Stereolithography (SL) is a new adjunct for treatment planning in complex maxillofacial trauma. It uses an argon/ion laser to polymerize acrylic resin models of reformatted computerized tomographic radiographs. SL provides superior anatomical detail and translucency, and it can be sterilized and transported to the operative field, if necessary. DISCUSSION: A review of the historical development of SL technology is presented, along with three clinical cases, showing the advantages of SL models in the treatment of patients with complex maxillofacial trauma. CONCLUSION: SL technology provides superior understanding of anatomic relationships, the ability to perform presurgical simulation of the proposed procedure, preoperative adaptation of biomaterials, decreased time in the operating room and associated patient morbidity, and improved residency training and patient education. The primary disadvantages of SL are availability and cost.
