QUANTIFICATION OF DENTAL MOVEMENTS IN ORTHODONTIC FOLLOW-UP:
A NOVEL APPROACH BASED ON REGISTRATION OF 3D MODELS OF DENTAL CASTS
Daniele Maria Gibelli 1a* , Valentina Pucciarelli 1b , Luca Pisoni 1c , Francesca M.E. Rusconi 1d ,
Gianluca Martino Tartaglia 1e , Chiarella Sforza 1f
LAFAS, Laboratorio di Anatomia Funzionale dell’Apparato Stomatognatico
Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano,
Milano, Italy
1
MD, PhD
BSc
c
DDS, PhD
d
MD
e
DDS, PhD
f
MD, Head
a
b
Received: February 28, 2017
Revised: March 21, 2017
Accepted: April 02, 2017
Published: April 03, 2017
Academic Editor: Mariana Păcurar, DDS, PhD, Professor and Head, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureș, Târgu Mureș, Romania
ORTHODONTICS
Cite this article:
Cite this article: Gibelli DM, Pucciarelli V, Pisoni L, Rusconi MEF, Tartaglia GM, Sforza C. Quantification of dental movements in orthodontic follow-up:
a novel approach based on registration of 3D models of dental casts. Stoma Edu J. 2017;4(1):55-61.
Abstract
Introduction: The assessment of dental displacement achieved by orthodontic procedures is important
as it allows operators to verify their clinical treatment and provide adequate adjustments. Modern 3D
image acquisition and elaboration systems may represent a valid method for the three-dimensional
assessment of dental movement.
A novel protocol for the 3D assessment of success of orthodontic therapy is proposed, based on
registration of surfaces.
Methdology: Pairs of casts of the upper dental arch, taken at two different time periods during the
therapy, were chosen for three patients who underwent an orthodontic treatment. Dental casts were
scanned by a 3D laser scanner: for each patient, the two 3D models were then registered according to
the least distance at the area including palatal rugae. The chromatic map of changes within the dental
arch and the RMS (Root Mean Square) point-to-point distance between the dental profiles from the two
models were obtained, and compared with the same data from a control group including five adult
individuals who did not undergo orthodontic therapy. Inter- and intra-observer errors were evaluated
as well.
Results: The novel procedure proved to be repeatable and gave a detailed description of those dental
areas most affected by orthodontic therapy: RMS values seem to be related with the weight of dental
modifications and are far higher than the same parameters computed in the control group.
Conclusion: Further studies are needed in order to explore the possible correlation of RMS value with
clinical parameters linked to the improvement of dental function and aesthetics due to orthodontic
therapy.
Keywords: orthodontics, dental anatomy, laser scanner, RMS (root mean square).
1. Introduction
Orthodontics represents one of the most
sensitive fields of research in dentistry, where
the technological developments and treatment
modalities are constantly applied in order
to ameliorate anatomical and functional
characteristics of the dental and facial profile. 1
During the past century orthodontic techniques
have been developed in order to obtain more
controlled and faster movement of dental
elements: the main tasks are the improvement
of dental occlusion and function, anatomical
stability and facial aesthetics. 1 However, an
important issue concerns the assessment of
*Corresponding author:
Dr. Daniele Maria Gibelli, MD, PhD, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, I-20133, Milano, Italy
Tel: +39-02-50315399, Fax: +39-02-50315724, e-mail: [email protected]
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