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Updated: May 29, 2026
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Measuring Maxillary Posterior Tooth Movement: A Model Assessment using Palatal and Dental Superimposition
Published on: February 23, 2024
Accuracy in tooth positioning with a fully customized lingual orthodontic appliance
Dan Grauer1, William R Proffit
1Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450, USA. drgrauer@yahoo.com
Summary
This study found that CAD/CAM lingual orthodontic appliances accurately achieve planned tooth movements, with minor discrepancies, especially in second molars. This digital method aids in quantifying 3D tooth movement during orthodontic treatment.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Biotechnology
- Dental Technology
Background:
- Quantifying 3D tooth movement is crucial for understanding orthodontic tooth movement.
- CAD/CAM technology enables fabrication of customized brackets and wires for precise treatment setups.
- Evaluating the accuracy of CAD/CAM lingual orthodontic techniques is essential for clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of a CAD/CAM lingual orthodontic technique in achieving planned tooth positions.
- To quantify discrepancies between planned and actual tooth movements in three dimensions.
Main Methods:
- Digital models were created from dental casts of 94 patients.
- Setup and final models were registered individually for maxillary and mandibular arches.
- Tooth discrepancies were computed using a six-degrees-of-freedom coordinate system.
Main Results:
- Small discrepancies (<1mm, <4°) were observed for most teeth, with larger ones in second molars.
- Faciolingual expansion was greater in the setup than in final models, particularly for second molars.
- Factors like age, tooth type, and treatment duration had minor influences on discrepancies.
Conclusions:
- Fully customized lingual appliances accurately achieved planned goals, except for planned expansion and second molar inclination.
- The methodology provides a foundation for measuring and understanding 3D tooth movement in orthodontics.
