Contemporary concepts in treatment planning, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the maxillofacial region: an overview of methods used in practice.

Treatment planning, reconstruction and rehabilitation of maxillofacial and dental defects have always been a challenge for a maxillofacial surgeon. Reconstruction of the oral cavity is often a difficult task as it involves the restoration of both the esthetic or cosmetic form as well as the preoperative function. Understanding the oral cavity anatomy as well the functional capacities of its various subunits is required to achieve good results. The recent advances in treatment planning, diagnostic imaging and reconstructive techniques, especially in the field of osseointegration, tissue expanders, perforator flaps, microvascular free tissue transfer and bone engineering, have yielded excellent functional and esthetic outcomes. This article provides a brief overview on various advanced reconstructive and rehabilitation techniques available in contemporary clinical practice.