In-house customization of lingual orthodontic brackets using Ubrackets computer-aided design orthodontic software

Abstract

During the past years, digital technology has been introduced in the orthodontic specialty. Many of the conventional procedures have been changed to digital procedures. Three-dimensional surface scanning, volume scanning, computer-aided design (CAD), and 3-dimensional printing are technologies that are changing orthodontic practices. One of the major changes is the ability to design and print customized fixed orthodontic appliances. In contrast, digital technology allowed the implementation of many laboratory procedures in the virtual environment of a computer in the orthodontic office. Customization of labial or lingual trade orthodontic brackets using dedicated orthodontic CAD software has never been attempted in an orthodontic office until now. In our case report, we used novel orthodontic CAD software named Ubrackets to transform trade lingual orthodontic brackets into customized by adding composite to their bases. The complete lingual bracket customization designing, indirect bonding tray design, printing, and bonding workflow are presented. • Converting trade lingual, or labial brackets can be done using the software UBrackets • Trade brackets customization can be done in the orthodontic office without the need of an external company. • Trade brackets customization is performed by adding composite to their bases. Composite amount and volume is determined in the Ubrackets software. • Indirect bonding can be done using the traditional way using transparent silcone impression or 3D printed IDB trays. • 3D printed resins need to be optimized for more accurate indirect bonding.