Use of digital models to assess orthodontic treatment progress

2015-04-22Objective: Progress models are commonly made during the detailing and finishing stages of orthodontic treatment with alginate impressions and plaster. Three-dimensional intraoral scanners, such as Align Technology Inc.’s iTero, can be used in place of traditional models. The objective of this study was to assess whether the three-dimensional models were useful in visualizing treatment progress per the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) final model grading system. Methods: In this prospective study, 20 patients in the detailing and finishing stages of orthodontic treatment were scanned using the iTero intraoral scanner. 10 ABO certified faculty orthodontists of the University of Southern California used the three-dimensional model to assess treatment progress and completed a survey to determine which sections of the final model grading system were easy or difficult to visualize. Results: Assessing treatment progress and visualizing tooth alignment (rotation), occlusal contacts, overjet, and overbite were easily done. Visualization of marginal ridge heights, visualization of posterior torque, and manipulation of the models were the most difficult. Conclusion: Although all faculty reported that the majority of the ABO final model grading system were easy to visualize, sixteen out of twenty reports that both types of models are equally useful for assessing orthodontic treatment progression