DESPITE THE ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGIES , PATIENTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IS A CONTROLLED MOVEMENT OF TEETH AND TREATMENT MUST BE DONE WITH A DENTIST WHO CAN DIAGNOSE AND TREAT THE MALOCCLUSION . were made . The process commences by creating a 3D representation of the patient ' s teeth , achieved through either an intraoral scan or digital scanning of dental models . Subsequently , computer algorithms are employed to isolate each tooth ' s crown , and treatment plans are generated visually as a series of gradual tooth adjustments determined by the software . Following this , physical models for each stage of tooth repositioning are fabricated using rapid prototyping methods . Ultimately , customised aligners are manufactured through a thermoforming process and then refined to their final shape . The material used to manufacture clear aligners has improved enormously as well .
F E A T U R E
Dr Sara Amini
efficiency . Also , it helps with digital record keeping of patient ’ s dentition .
You have a fellowship in orthodontic aligners . Could you highlight the role of technology in the development and customisation of aligners , and how this has impacted orthodontic treatments ?
The clear aligner was introduced over 50 years ago for minor teeth movements ; however , this
DESPITE THE ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGIES , PATIENTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IS A CONTROLLED MOVEMENT OF TEETH AND TREATMENT MUST BE DONE WITH A DENTIST WHO CAN DIAGNOSE AND TREAT THE MALOCCLUSION . were made . The process commences by creating a 3D representation of the patient ' s teeth , achieved through either an intraoral scan or digital scanning of dental models . Subsequently , computer algorithms are employed to isolate each tooth ' s crown , and treatment plans are generated visually as a series of gradual tooth adjustments determined by the software . Following this , physical models for each stage of tooth repositioning are fabricated using rapid prototyping methods . Ultimately , customised aligners are manufactured through a thermoforming process and then refined to their final shape . The material used to manufacture clear aligners has improved enormously as well .
Despite the advances in technologies , patients should be aware that orthodontic treatment is a controlled movement of teeth and treatment must be done with a dentist who can diagnose and treat the malocclusion .
How do you envision the future of dentistry technology evolving in the coming years , and what potential breakthroughs or advancements are you excited about ?
I think Artificial Intelligence will play a significant role in diagnostics , treatment planning and patient management in the future . Machine learning algorithms can assist in early disease detection and treatment recommendations based on patient data and historical trends .
Robotics are already being used for some precise surgeries including dental implant placements . I ’ m probably most excited about regenerative dentistry to repair damaged oral or dental tissue , even to generate a whole tooth with stem cells . � was very technique-sensitive and onerous work that had to be done by cutting teeth from plaster models and moving them to the desirable to make a single aligner . In 1998 , the first aligners with the use of CAD-CAM
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