Predictability of digital set-up in orthodontics

The orthodontic setup is a three-dimensional simulation that allows the teeth to be aligned in the appropriate position according to a previously established treatment plan previewing the final result. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the digital orthodontic set-up by comparing it with the result of the orthodontic treatment. The secondary purpose is to compare the correlation between the parameters obtained after performing the digital setup with the analysis of the study models at the end of the orthodontic treatment. Materials and methods: The study models of 40 patients were digitized. In a subsequent phase, the digital set- up was performed using the BlueSky Plan software (Libertyville, IL United States) to obtain appropriate intermaxillary relations according to the treatment plan. Results: The intercanine and intermolar distances, and the length of the dental arches were measured both in the initial, final models, and after the set-up in order to be able to compare them. Statistically significant differences were observed between the intercanine width (p=0.007) and arch length (p=0.02) of the final models compared with the set-up models. Regarding the other evaluated parameters of the final models, although the values were decreased compared to the set-up models, the differences were not significant. Conclusions: the comparison made between the digital set-up and the patient's final model gives confidence in choosing the setup as a reliable tool for treatment planning.