Digital Technologies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Orthodontic Pathology

Abstract

The use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence for information analysis opens new opportunities in orthodontic practice. The aim of the study was to analyze the time spent on diagnosing and preparing for the treatment of orthodontic pathology using traditional approaches versus digital technologies. Materials and Methods. Diagnosis in 35 individuals (46.7%) in Group I was conducted using traditional methods, and bracket system positioning was performed on plaster models with indirect transfer fabrication. Diagnosis in 40 individuals (53.3%) in Group II was conducted using digital technologies, and bracket system positioning was performed on virtual jaw models with 3D transfer modeling assisted by artificial intelligence. Results. In Group I, the time spent obtaining jaw impressions was 19.23±0.38 minutes, and for creating plaster models, 59.83±0.60 minutes. Anthropometric measurements on jaw models took 50.91±0.74 minutes, and on facial and body photographs, 110.71±2.34 minutes. Cephalometric analysis required 208.51±3.97 minutes and 59.71±0.58 minutes. The total diagnostic time was 508.91±4.32 minutes. Positioning brackets on plaster models took 138.80±1.69 minutes, while transfer fabrication required 81.34±1.32 minutes, resulting in a total time of 220.14±3.62 minutes. In Group II, intraoral jaw scanning took 15.65±0.44 minutes, with virtual models generated automatically. Anthropometric analysis on virtual models took 6.90±0.19 minutes, and on digital facial and body photographs, 8.65±0.17 minutes. Cephalometric analysis required 9.45±0.19 minutes. The total diagnostic time was 40.65±0.29 minutes. Virtual bracket positioning took 28.60±0.42 minutes, while 3D printing of the transfers required 242.65±2.24 minutes, for a total time of 271.25±2.24 minutes. The overall time for Group I was 729.06±2.64 minutes, while for Group II, it was 311.90±3.76 minutes, which was 2.3 times shorter (p<0.05). Conclusion. The time required for research using digital technologies was significantly shorter than that using traditional methods.