Clinical Effectiveness and Limitations of Digital Orthodontic Appliances

Intraoral scanners are being increasingly used in the field of clinical orthodontics. These scanners provide full arch scan data of patients’ dentition, which can be used to make a diagnosis as well as virtually setup and fabricate orthodontic appliances such as custom-prescription brackets and clear aligners. It has been claimed that these digitally manufactured orthodontic appliances can simplify laboratory procedures by eliminating the need for conventional impression procedures and provide more accurate treatment results. However, clinicians question the efficacy and predictability of the treatment results using these appliances. In this article, we will present cases and review the current evidence on accuracy and reliability of orthodontic appliances created by computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technology.