Virtual Reality in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Dr. Krajekian has been at the forefront of integrating virtual reality into oral and maxillofacial surgery, revolutionizing surgical planning, rehearsal, and execution with an unprecedented degree of precision, raising the standard of patient outcomes to a new level.
Dr. Krajekian uses immersive virtual reality to visualize your complete jaw anatomy in 3D, planning every detail of your surgery before entering the operating room.
Virtual reality creates immersive, three-dimensional environments enabling Dr. Krajekian to visualize and interact with highly detailed, anatomically correct models of each patient's unique condition. This is invaluable in oral and maxillofacial surgery, where precision is critical for intricate structures like facial bones, jaws, and nerves.
Using high-resolution CT and MRI imaging, VR systems transform data into a virtual environment comprising realistic 3D models that the surgeon can manipulate freely, rotating, sectioning, and rehearsing approaches from every angle.
Navigate virtually inside patient anatomy, outline difficulties, and optimize surgical approaches around vital structures
Enhanced understanding of spatial relationships among nerves, bones, and blood vessels, reducing complication risk
Simulate multiple surgical techniques and view the outcome of each in real time before committing to an approach
Surgical preparation has conventionally relied on two-dimensional imaging and static models. Dr. Krajekian has changed that with VR, rehearsing in a dynamic, risk-free virtual environment before performing complex procedures on patients.
Practicing in VR builds mental and technical preparation. Dr. Krajekian enters the OR having already performed the surgery virtually
Locate and mitigate risks by practicing difficult parts of the surgery multiple times before the patient is in the chair
VR platforms enable the surgical team to rehearse together, improving communication and reducing intraoperative surprises
Pre-rehearsed procedures translate to shorter time under anesthesia and faster recovery
FDA-Approved Technology: Surgical Rehearsal™ is FDA-approved for pre-surgical planning. Dr. Krajekian was among the first oral and maxillofacial surgeons worldwide to implement this technology.
3D CT / MRI Imaging
High-resolution imaging captures complete patient anatomy in full detail
Virtual Model Creation
Imaging data is transformed into an immersive 3D virtual environment
Surgical Planning
Precise measurements, implant positioning, and approach decisions in 3D
VR Rehearsal
Dr. Krajekian performs the surgery virtually, multiple times if needed, before entering the OR
Guide Fabrication
Custom 3D-printed surgical guides manufactured for exact intraoperative execution
Precision Surgery
Surgery performed with VR-rehearsed precision and custom 3D-printed guides for sub-millimeter accuracy
Watch Dr. Krajekian's actual VR surgical planning sessions. See how virtual reality transforms complex cases into precisely rehearsed procedures.
CT to VR
Watch the transformation from CT imaging to a fully interactive VR surgical environment, demonstrating precise anatomical measurement and surgical approach planning.
Posterior Cystectomy
Virtual reality rehearsal of a posterior cystectomy procedure, planning the approach, visualizing the cyst boundary, and rehearsing the resection.
Free Flap Reconstruction
VR planning of a microvascular free flap reconstruction, mapping the donor site, designing the bone cuts, and rehearsing the transfer and fixation.
VR Articulation
Virtual reality articulation analysis, examining jaw movement, occlusal relationships, and planning precise repositioning for optimal function.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (MMA)
VR planning of maxillomandibular advancement for obstructive sleep apnea, visualizing the airway, planning jaw repositioning, and simulating airway expansion.
Trauma Reduction
Virtual reality rehearsal of facial trauma reduction, mapping fracture lines, planning fixation hardware placement, and rehearsing anatomic reduction.
Chin Onlay Graft
VR planning of a chin onlay bone graft, designing the graft dimensions, planning the harvest and fixation, and simulating the aesthetic outcome.
All-on-4 Dental Implants
VR planning of full-arch All-on-4 implant placement, optimizing implant angles, verifying bone density, and rehearsing the prosthetic workflow.
Dr. Krajekian is one of the only surgeons in the country utilizing VR in almost every major surgery he performs:
TMJ Joint Replacement
Complete surgical rehearsal of custom 3D-printed titanium joint placement
Dental Implant Placement
Precise trajectory planning for optimal implant positioning
Orthognathic Surgery
Full jaw repositioning with millimeter precision using VSP
Sleep Apnea Surgery (MMA)
Airway visualization and jaw advancement planning
Complex Wisdom Teeth
Nerve-aware extraction planning for high-risk third molars
Tumor Resection & Reconstruction
Complex bone removal and free flap reconstruction planning
Surgical planning has come a long way, from hand-drawn sketches to 3D computer models on a screen. Dr. Krajekian goes further with immersive virtual reality, where he steps inside a life-sized model of your anatomy to plan and rehearse every detail of your surgery.
1Traditional Hand tools & flat X-rays | 2Virtual Surgical Planning 3D models on a flat screen | 3VR Immersive Planning Dr. Krajekian's approach | |
|---|---|---|---|
Preparation Time How long the planning takes before your surgery | ~9 hours of manual preparation | ~3 hours with computer planning | •Projected even shorter. Surgeon works directly in VR |
Seeing Your Anatomy How your surgeon views your jaw, bones, and nerves | Flat 2D X-rays only | 3D images on a flat screen | •Life-sized immersive 3D. Your surgeon steps inside your anatomy |
Surgeon Control How much your surgeon can interact with the plan | Very limited. No digital tools | An engineer makes changes on behalf of the surgeon | •Full control. Dr. Krajekian modifies, measures, and adjusts the plan himself |
Surgical Guides Custom tools that help your surgeon operate precisely | Made by hand | Designed by an engineer, 3D printed by a company | •Designed by the surgeon directly, then 3D printed |
Custom Hardware Whether implants and plates are made specifically for you | Not available | Available in some systems | •3D-printed cutting guides and custom hardware for your anatomy |
Surgery Rehearsal Whether the surgeon can practice before your real procedure | No rehearsal. Surgery performed for the first time on you | Limited simulation on a flat screen | •Full virtual rehearsal. Performed multiple times before operating on you |
Available in the OR What guides the surgeon during your actual surgery | Physical models only | Printed report and surgical guides | •Guides plus immersive VR accessible during surgery |
Time Under Anesthesia How long you are asleep during surgery | Longer. Adjustments made during surgery | Shorter with better planning | •Shortest. Every step pre-rehearsed, 20–40% less OR time |
20–40%
Less Time in Surgery
<1mm
Placement Accuracy
100%
Surgeon-Controlled Planning
OR Access
VR Available During Surgery
Based on Dr. Krajekian's published research. Preparation time data from peer-reviewed studies comparing traditional model surgery (~9 hours) to virtual surgical planning (~3 hours), with immersive VR projected to further reduce planning time while giving the surgeon complete control over every detail.
The integration of virtual reality into oral and maxillofacial surgery marks a breakthrough in translating technology into patient care. VR enables personalized, more accurate, and safer surgeries while shaping the future of how surgeons operate.
VR allows patients to visualize their surgery in 3D, enabling truly informed consent
Young surgeons can practice repeatedly in controlled VR conditions without patient risk
VR lets Dr. Krajekian collaborate with experts worldwide on complex cases via virtual platforms
What Makes VR Surgery Different
Full Immersion
Complete immersion in the patient's anatomy. Navigate, rotate, and explore structures in a true 3D environment before operating.
Risk-Free Rehearsal
Practice the most critical parts of complex surgeries multiple times before touching the patient.
VR Advantages in the OR
- • Every surgical step rehearsed before entering the OR
- • Custom 3D-printed guides manufactured from VR planning
- • Critical nerves and vessels mapped in advance
- • Reduced operative time and fewer complications
Dr. Krajekian's Pioneering Contributions
As an early adopter and developer of advanced surgical technologies, Dr. Krajekian brings cutting-edge innovation to every patient's care.
First VR-Guided TMJ Replacement Worldwide
Performed the world's first TMJ joint replacement using virtual reality surgical planning, pioneering a new era in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
First VR-Guided Dental Implant in the US
Performed the first virtual reality-guided dental implant placement in the United States, setting a new standard for precision.
First-Ever VR Chapter in OMS Textbook
Authored the first-ever chapter on virtual reality in oral and maxillofacial surgery, establishing the academic foundation for VR surgical applications.
Cleveland Clinic Collaboration
Partnered with Cleveland Clinic to advance VR-guided surgical techniques. Co-founder of their multidisciplinary TMJ Disorder team.
Immersive Touch VR Medical Advisor
Serves as medical advisor to Immersive Touch VR (Chicago), helping develop next-generation surgical planning technology.