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Updated: Aug 20, 2025
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Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
Published on: February 23, 2024
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Accuracy of progress assessment with clear aligners
Bo Li1, Yimeng Xu1, Ruiying Shi1
1State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology ＆ National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases ＆ Shaanxi Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases ＆ Dept. of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
Summary
The iTero Progress Assessment shows accurate arch width analysis in clear aligner treatment. However, its model superimposition accuracy needs further investigation, advising orthodontists to use results cautiously.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Dental Technology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Clear aligner therapy relies on accurate digital models for treatment planning and monitoring.
- iTero Progress Assessment offers automatic analysis, but its accuracy compared to traditional methods requires validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of iTero Progress Assessment's model superimposition and automatic analysis for dentition widths during clear aligner treatment.
- To compare iTero Progress Assessment measurements with traditional 3D model superimposition.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 19 clear aligner cases comparing pretreatment and post-treatment dental casts.
- Measurements of maxillary teeth movement and arch widths using iTero Progress Assessment and 3D model superimposition.
- Statistical analysis to compare data from both measurement methods.
Main Results:
- iTero Progress Assessment showed accurate measurements for upper and lower arch widths (intercanine and intermolar) with no significant difference compared to actual measurements.
- A significant difference was observed in the measurement of maxillary teeth movement in the horizontal plane between iTero Progress Assessment and 3D model analysis (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- iTero Progress Assessment provides accurate arch width analysis in clear aligner therapy.
- The accuracy of model superimposition in iTero Progress Assessment, particularly with the palate as a reference, requires further investigation.
- Orthodontists should exercise caution when interpreting iTero Progress Assessment results for model superimposition in clinical applications.
