Digital orthodontics: Present and future

Digital technology has been at the forefront of many innovations in everyday life in recent years. The development of CAD software, 3D printers, surface and volume scanners, and printing resins has had an impact on dentistry and orthodontics. These tools are all already in the armamentarium of the orthodontist, enabling the technological advancement of orthodontic appliances, diagnosis and treatment. Digital technology helped in the development of the concept of in-house orthodontic laboratories but also allowed the customization of most orthodontic appliances. Orthodontic imaging and analysis software is responsible for gathering all digital data obtained by digital units and the clinical examination. Surface scanners are the keys for all the digital workflow, providing the digital impression where all the appliances will be designed and manufactured. CAD software are used to design customized appliances which will be later manufactured using the technology of 3D printing. Metal printing is a technology performed in special laboratories that enables the customization of various metallic appliances but cannot be used in an orthodontic office. All other orthodontic appliances can be designed and manufactured in the orthodontic office, including thermoformed aligners and directly printed aligners. Lately, software advancements, allow customized lingual and labial orthodontic brackets to be designed and printed in the orthodontic office. To guarantee the security of both patients and orthodontic staff, certain regulations pertaining to the installation of laboratories in orthodontic offices must be developed. In the last few years, orthodontics has made use of artificial intelligence (AI). Nevertheless, AI will only be an assistant in orthodontic treatment and will never replace orthodontists.