Digital Scanning in Modern Orthodontics

The purpose of this review is to provide the readers with current information and state-of-the-art of digital scanning systems within the orthodontics. Introducing the commercially available intraoral and facial scanning systems, as well as bringing future perspectives to these systems.

The emergence of digital scanners associated with computer-aided design is one of today’s key diagnostic tool enhancements in orthodontics. Among the main applications in orthodontics, it is the analysis for diagnosis, treatment planning, and prediction of the final result. There is a range of possibilities for the application of digital scanners in orthodontics, both facial and intraoral, bringing benefits to the correct choice of a treatment technique and a shorter time period to acquire the patient documentation and case planning.

The intraoral scanning allowed for a broader diagnosis, more precise, and efficient planning with esthetic treatments. However, there are still some drawbacks such as the tip size of the scanners, which makes difficult to read the maxillary tuberosity region. Other drawbacks are related to the limit of patient’s mouth opening, humidity control (i.e., saliva), and light reflection during scanning by mini-implants and bars. Facial digital scanning has also an important applicability in cases of orthodontic treatment associated with orthognathic surgery, when the acquired files are combined with cone-beam computed tomography information. Although facial scanners are of great interest for facial analysis studies, they are still costly or, in the case of the new more affordable and portable devices, they still have accuracy limitations.