Three-dimensional evaluation of dental movement in orthodontics [Valutazione tridimensionale del movimento dentale in ortodonzia]

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to evaluate three-dimensionally the dental movement of impacted palatally canines, following an opercolectomy performed by laser. We also monitored patients with both digital and conventional method, with the purpose of evaluating the accuracy and validity of the monitoring methods compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed 10 patients, 5 with double inclusion and 5 with single inclusion, for a total of 15 canines, impacted in the palatal site, were considered. Patient’s orthopantomography were initially analyzed to evaluate the prognosis of the impacted canines, according to the analysis of Ericson and Kurol. Subsequently, preoperative CBCT scans were examined to assess the position and type of inclusion of the dental elements considered. Through the Invesalius 3.1 software (Centro de Tecnologia da Infor-mação Renato Archer, Amara-is-Campinas, SP, Brasile) it was possible to convert the CBCT files into three-dimensional models in STL format. For each patient we applied a digital and conventional monitoring protocol that included checks, according to the following timing: at 1 week, at 2 months and at 4 months after surgery. At each check, both scans of the arch, using the Carestream 3500 intraoral scanner (Care-stream Dental, Carestream Health, Inc, Rochester, NY, USA) were performed, and alginate impressions with which the plaster casts were made. The 3D models extrapolated from CT and intraoral scans were aligned and overlapped using the Meshlab software, which allowed us to make measurements over time of the canine eruption movement. The same measurements were replicated on the plaster casts, with compass and ruler. We performed a descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of each data obtained, both from conventional and digital monitoring, determining the statistical averages for each time considered, and the speeds. The two monitoring methods were compared, evaluating the errors of analog measurements, consisting of the differences between the values obtained by the two types of moni-toring and performing the Student T test for paired data. RESULTS The average total (T0-T2) eruption calculated on digital models is 4.49 mm, with an average eruption speed of 0.037 mm/day. The comparison of the two monitoring methods revealed an error in the analog measurements equal to 1.09 mm in the evaluation of the total eruption. Student’s T test was performed to compare the data emerging from the two monitoring methods, and set a P-value <0.05, we obtained statistically significant data (P = 3.25746E-08). Using digital technologies, such as intraoral scanner, conversion and overlay software, it was possible to calculate the real eruption of the impacted canines and to evaluate the characteristics of tooth movement after the experimental procedure of laser opercolectomy. The interpretation of these results reveals the greater precision of the monitoring with digital technologies compared to the conventional one. CONCLUSIONS The use of digital technologies has allowed us to evaluate the dental movement in a three-dimensional way with extreme precision. The comparison between the eruption values obtained from the STL models and those of the plaster casts, highlights the inherent errors of the conventional monitoring, which are due both to the distortions of the materials used, and to the lack of precision of the manual measurement methods. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The present study evaluates the canine spontaneous eruption’s movement after laser surgery, without the need for orthodontic traction. The application of digital technologies has enabled us to eliminate errors in analogue measurements and monitor the patient over time by reducing working time, by introducing the concept of “digital workflow”. Furthermore, we found an increase in patient compliance.