Recent advances in orthodontics

ABSTRACT

Orthodontic science has progressed tremendously in the last two decades, from traditional stainless wires and brackets to sophisticated contemporary materials, types of brackets and bonding agents, anchorage devices and the use of nanotechnology. The development has extended to all domains of diagnosis, treatment planning, treatment alternatives, storage of data, patient education and marketing. This chapter comprehensively lists all spheres of advancements, highlighting the advantages and limitations of each of the enumerated processes. Digitization in orthodontics has completely revolutionized diagnosis, employing three-dimensional (3D) analysis by intraoral scans, 3D-Cone Beam Computed Tomography (3D-CBCT) radiographs and stereophotogrammetry, for greater accuracy and possibility of virtual setting. In addition, aligner technology has also seen a boom using this virtual data for computer aided design(CAD) and creation of appliances by 3D printing. Varied softwares have found their way into orthodontic office for analysis, superimpositions and predictions, thus allowing the patients to make informed decisions. Few softwares also allow remote patient monitoring, tele-orthodontics, patient education and reminder applications. Social media has become a powerful tool for product awareness, discussions with patients, orthodontic teaching, though the accuracy of information is questionable. Acceleration of orthodontic treatment has been targeted with various surgical (micro-osteoperforation, corticotomy, Wilckodontics etc.), non-surgical (vibration, lasers etc.) and biological (prostaglandins etc.) agents. This chapter also touches upon upcoming areas like machine learning, artificial intelligence and big data in orthodontics which can aid in evidence-based practice from large clinical repositories in cost effective ways. Current COVID-19 times brings forth the importance of virtual patient data and minimal patient contact, thus emphasizing the role of modified orthodontic triage, a significant mention of which has been made in the current chapter. © 2021 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.