Objective vs subjective analyses of arch form and preformed archwire selection

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics
• Dental Technology

Background:

• Maintaining original arch form is crucial for orthodontic treatment stability.
• Subjective analysis by orthodontists can vary in arch form and archwire selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare subjective orthodontic archwire selection with an objective software-based method.
• To assess the agreement between orthodontists' manual analysis and Cast Analyzer software.

Main Methods:

• 36 dental casts were scanned, and Cast Analyzer software generated optimal arch form curves.
• The software objectively and semiobjectively selected preformed nickel-titanium archwires.
• Orthodontists performed subjective archwire selection on casts and using the software.

Main Results:

• The semiobjective software method (orthodontist-guided visual selection) provided the best outcomes.
• Differences between objective and semiobjective software methods were clinically insignificant (1.30 vs 1.36 mm).

Conclusions:

• The objective software method enhances archwire adaptation to bracket points.
• Training orthodontists on Cast Analyzer software can significantly improve inter-examiner agreement in archwire selection.