Orthodontics is no longer the time of messy molds, metal bands, and visiting the office on a regular basis. Modern technology is changing the way it is designed and the way treatment is delivered. The focus of this change is on 3D digital orthodontics, an innovative method that allows the implementation of the treatment more accurately, efficiently, and with lower levels of discomfort in patients, regardless of their age.
We should examine a little more closely how digital orthodontics works, what sets it apart in comparison to current techniques, and why it might be the future of braces.
What is 3D Digital Orthodontics?
Digital orthodontics 3D involves the application of high-quality scanning and planning devices to design unique treatment plans. Rather than the old system of making impressions in sticky trays, the orthodontists are taking a 3D impression of your teeth and gums using an intraoral scanner.
Digital impressions are created through this scan, and they are far more precise than the old-fashioned molds. With these digital models, the orthodontists are able to create a step-by-step model in which your teeth will move with time. In this technology, each step of treatment is foreknown before the placement of braces.
The payoffs are instant: the scans are painless, no one will gag due to the trays, and the orthodontist will have the right digital information to operate under at the very beginning.
Custom Computer Designed Braces
When the computer scan has been done, the orthodontist then utilizes computer software to design computer-designed braces that fit each tooth perfectly. These braces are crafted to fit your own individual dental configuration, an aspect that implies that they can relocate teeth more simply than conventional braces.
Two well-known examples of this method are:
- LightForce Braces: These are 3D printed ceramic braces that are fully custom. The bracket is designed to shape perfectly around your tooth, and this increases comfort and more precise treatment.
- InBrace: It is a system that involves the use of a special kind of wire called SmartWire that is attached to the back of the teeth. It softly shifts teeth without being noticed by other people.
Since the digital nature of these braces provides more control and enhances treatment accuracy, it results in better control and a greater conservation of overall accuracy. Patients also feel that they require fewer adjustments, and this makes the process less painful and less stressful.
Less Office Visits, More convenience
Among the most obvious benefits of 3D digital orthodontics, the number of appointments decreases. It was common in the past to see braces that needed frequent visits to have them adjusted, repaired, or repositioned. With computer-designed braces and a well-strategized digital roadmap, there are fewer possibilities of things falling off track.
That means fewer office visits, shorter appointments, and convenience to the patients and families. This can mean everything to busy professionals, students, and parents as they can keep up with treatment without having to alter their daily lives.
Precision and Foreseeability are Important
Precision is the key to the success of orthodontic care. Minor mistakes during the impressions or bracket positioning can influence the movement of teeth and cause the extension of treatment or additional adjustments. The orthodontists can escape these issues with digital impressions.
The precise 3D scan gives an accurate image of the mouth, and the digital planning software assists in the placement of brackets and wires with exceptional precision. This digital procedure implies that the results of treatment become more predictable, and patients are able to feel safe knowing that their smile is headed on the right path.
Efficient Tooth Movement
One of the benefits of computer-designed braces that are customized is efficient movement of the teeth. As brackets are designed to fit every tooth and wires are designed digitally, the teeth move where they need to be at the beginning. This minimizes unnecessary movement, minimizes the treatment time, and enables the patients to experience quicker results.
Fewer surprises along the way contribute to overall efficiency. Orthodontists can predict the response of the teeth and modify the plan instead of responding to the issues.
The Future of Orthodontic Technology
The orthodontics field is constantly innovating and expanding. In addition to scanners and 3D-printed braces, orthodontists also rely on such technologies as AI-based planning, robotic wire bending, or remote monitoring applications. Such types of developed orthodontic technologies will result in even quicker and more patient-friendly treatment in the future. The result is that we will have braces that are not only effective but also fit easily into our daily lives, giving us excellent results without the extra pain and inconvenience.
What is the Value of 3D Digital Orthodontics?
For patients, the advantages are clear:
- No ugly molds, only rapid and easy scans.
- Individually-crafted braces that fit your teeth perfectly.
- Shorter and fewer office visits
- More predictable, faster results.
- Choices of LightForce and In Brace that are more comfortable and more aesthetic.
In the case of orthodontists, digital tools will enhance efficiency and minimize errors, as well as enable them to deliver a better degree of care to all their patients. It is no big wonder that 3D digital orthodontics is emerging as the new standard of care.
Discover the Future of Braces at Lach Orthodontics
If you are considering braces, now is the time to learn about digital solutions that are smarter, faster, and more comfortable. Patients at Lach Orthodontics are enjoying the newest developments in digital orthodontic care. Our team is aimed at precision, comfort, and efficiency, starting with your first 3D scan, all the way through to your custom treatment plan. Schedule your appointment now with us.