REGISTRATION OF ORTHODONTIC DIGITAL MODELS

Current methods to assess outcomes and change in orthodontics are comparison of photographs, cephalometric measurements and superimpositions, and comparisons/measurements on dental casts. Digital models are a relatively new records modality in orthodontics. They offer numerous advantages in terms of storage space, spatial registration and superimposition. The purpose of this chapter is to determine the reproducibility of: 1) establishing occlusion of independently scanned digital models; and 2) registering digital models obtained after treatment on their homologous digital model setups produced before treatment. Reliability of both procedures was assessed with two random samples of five patient's models. In both experiments, three replicate positionings of the models per patient were created and variability in position was evaluated by the maximum surface difference between replicates, and the standard deviation of the surface distances between replicates respectively. Based on the data obtained, we concluded that it is reliable to register independently scanned models to a scanned surface of the models in occlusion. Surface-to-surface registration of final orthodontic digital models to planned setup models also is reproducible.