Patients suffering from problems related to teeth crowding and misalignment require braces for realignment and restoring of perfect teeth. This process of realignment is a long-term treatment varying from 6 to 12 months including many stages during which teeth alignments are achieved in small steps. Patients are always eager to view their futuristic teeth alignment condition at the beginning of their treatment. This requires a predictive methodology on the part of the dentist, which is achievable using software tools and finally reproducing these software-designed stages using rapid prototyping.

Dental molds, 3D Scanner, 3D Printer, and 3D computer-aided design software, such as 3-Matic, Maestro ortho studio, 3D Orchestrate, or 3Shape ortho studio for manipulations.

According to the quantitative analysis, average variation between the preprint and postprint is 0.32. Threedimensional (3D) printed models of these stages are within the units of 0.01 mm; hence, the rapid prototyping method supplements automation of the complete procedure of teeth alignment. Whereas, qualitative analysis of the scans after printing shows little-distorted boundaries due to which clarity has been slightly decreased but, according to the experts, this is clinically acceptable.

In this study, we provide an insight into generating different aligned stages or steps using available 3D software and further 3D printing of these stages using polylactic acid models.

These models are expected to provide very important and tangible information related to the treatment purpose to both patients and dentists. These 3D models further provide platform for the manufacturing of customized transparent teeth aligners which are specific to the patient, better in esthetics, easy to wear, and is inexpensive than traditional teeth braces.

Thakur N, Chaudhary N, Juneja M, Jindal P. Modeling and Printing of Successive Misaligned Teeth Stages. World J Dent 2017;8(4):309-314.