New virtual orthodontic treatment system for indirect bonding using the stereolithographic technique

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to introduce a new virtual orthodontic treatment (VOT) system, which can be used to construct three-dimensional (3D) virtual models, establish a 3D virtual setup, enable the placement of the virtual brackets at the predetermined position, and fabricate the transfer jig with a customized bracket base for indirect bonding (IDB) using the stereolithographic technique. A 26-year-old woman presented with anterior openbite, crowding in the upper and lower arches, and narrow and tapered upper arch, despite having an acceptable profile and balanced facial proportion. The treatment plan was rapid palatal expansion (RPE) without extraction. After 10 days of RPE, sufficient space was obtained for decrowding. After a 10-week retention period, accurate pretreatment plaster models were obtained using silicone rubber impression. IDB was performed according to the protocol of the VOT system. Crowding of the upper and lower arches was effectively resolved, and anterior openbite was corrected to normal overbite. Superimposition of the 3D virtual setup models (3D-VSM) and post-treatment 3D virtual models showed that the latter deviated only slightly from the former. Thus, the use of the VOT system helped obtain an acceptable outcome in this case of mild crowding treated without extraction. More cases should be treated using this system, and the pre- and post-treatment virtual models should be compared to obtain feedback regarding the procedure; this will support doctors and dental laboratory technicians during the learning curve. (Korean J Orthod 2011;41(2):138-146)