In-house computer-aided design and 3-dimensional printing of customized orthodontic brackets using hybrid ceramic resin: Is it the time for the orthodontist to take over?

Abstract

Customized brackets can be designed and printed in the Orthodontic office using a permanent crown resin. The whole workflow is fast, easy to handle and predictable. 2. Designing of customized brackets and customized archwire can be done using a novel Orthodontic CAD software called UBrackets. 3. For every customized brackets design case a customized archwire 3D file is also created that can be manufactured using an in-house archwire bending robot or can be manualy bended. 4. Customized posititioning keys can be printed together with the customized brackets in order to accurately bond the brackets.Ei.e., Digital technology advancements have been introduced into the orthodontic specialty in the last few years. Three-dimensional (3D) surface scanning, 3D volume scanning, computer-aided design (CAD) software, and 3D manufacturing have irreversibly altered and refined processes that were previously performed more conventionally. As a result, customized fixed orthodontic appliance production has been made possible by a few manufacturing companies. An attempt at implementing the in-house designing and manufacturing of customized fixed orthodontic appliances using dedicated orthodontic CAD software has never been undertaken until now. Our case report used a novel orthodontic CAD software named UBrackets to design in-house customized orthodontic brackets. Three-dimensional printing was performed in the orthodontic office using a permanent crown ceramic resin. The complete customized fixed appliance's design, printing, postprinting, and bonding workflow are also presented.