DIGITAL ORTHODONTICS

Digital technology had significant impact on our lives since the introduction and sophistication of mobile phones. Medical diagnosis, teaching tools, treatment modalities and surgical techniques were improved significantly with the help of digital technologies during last two decades. Various Digital gadgets started to make its way into dental and orthodontic offices with the introduction of computerized scheduling in 1974. Today digital technology has touched on every aspect of orthodontic treatment including diagnosis and treatment planning.It is now common to perform virtual treatment planning as well as translate the plans into treatment execution with digitally driven appliance manufactures and placement using various CAD/CAM techniques from printed models, indirect bonding trays and custom-made brackets to robotically bent wires. By introducing 3D facial photography to digital study models and CBCTs it is now possible to have a complete three-dimensional virtual representation of the patient.