Orthodontic digital workflow: devices and clinical applications

ABSTRACT Introduction: The digital technology has contributed to improve and simplify diagnosis, treatment planning and execution in Orthodontics. Among CAD/CAM system (Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing) applications in Orthodontics, we highlight the installation and removal of fixed appliance, clear aligners, customized appliances, and retainers fabricated in digital environment. This approach has several advantages for practitioner and patient, as it enhances appliances precision, directly interferes in treatment time and predictability. Even with all the benefits arising from the digital workflow, few orthodontists have adopted this technique in their clinical practice, most due to high cost and lack of technical preparation for proper execution. Objectives: Thus, given the importance of digital technology to improve specialty performance and the still incipient incorporation of digital flow in Orthodontics, the purpose of this article is to describe the available resources and clinical applications of the CAD/CAM technology in Orthodontics.

摘要
引言：数字技术推动口腔正畸领域的诊断、治疗规划与实施流程实现优化与简化。在正畸领域的计算机辅助设计/计算机辅助制造（Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing，简称CAD/CAM）系统应用中，我们重点关注固定矫治器、隐形矫治器、定制矫治器以及数字化环境下制作的保持器的安装与拆除操作。该数字化方案可为医师与患者带来多重优势：可提升矫治器精度，直接影响治疗时长与治疗可预测性。尽管数字化工作流程具备上述诸多益处，但目前仅有少数正畸医师将该技术应用于临床实践，究其主要原因，在于成本高昂且缺乏规范实施该技术所需的技术储备。
研究目的：鉴于数字技术对提升正畸专科诊疗水平的重要性，以及正畸领域数字化流程的应用仍处于起步阶段，本文旨在阐述正畸领域中CAD/CAM技术的可用资源与临床应用场景。