3D-printed indirect bonding trays and transfer jigs for lingual brackets: Digital workflows and two case reports

With the advancement of 3-dimensionally (3D) printing technology, orthodontists can design and fabricate 3D-printed indirect bonding trays and transfer jigs for lingual brackets independently from the laboratory. The present article describes, in detail, the digital workflows for designing and fabricating 3D-printed lingual bracket indirect bonding trays and transfer jigs. Additionally, it aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach in managing common orthodontic issues in adult patients. The first case report exemplifies the successful management of moderate crowding in a Class I adult patient using a non-extraction approach with lingual brackets and flexible 3D-printed indirect bonding trays. The second case illustrates the application of lingual brackets and rigid 3D-printed indirect bonding trays in managing a skeletal Class II adult patient with mouth protrusion requiring four-bicuspid extractions. The achieved good treatment results might demonstrate the high transfer accuracy of 3D-printed lingual bracket indirect bonding trays. Additional studies with large sample sizes should be conducted to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of 3D-printed trays with other tray types.