Accuracy of predicting the upper arch expansion using the ClinCheck software

BACKGROUND: Among the anomalies of the dentoalveolar system, narrowing of the upper dental arches in a permanent bite occurs in 57% of the cases examined. Aligners are a preferable method for correcting the position of the teeth and expanding dental arches. Planning and modeling treatment outcomes when using clear aligners are essential parts, since it is the quantitative assessment of treatment outcomes that improves clinical practice. The ClinCheck software allows making an almost fully automated design and manufacturing of Invisalign.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of predicting the expansion of the upper arch using the ClinCheck software.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective clinical study included 19 patients with dentoalveolar anomalies whose dental arch parameters were measured before and after treatment with Invisalign Full and Invisalign Teen. Evaluation of the accuracy of predicted expansion using ClinCheck was carried out by comparing the simulated parameters and actual outcomes. To assess the achieved results, individual tooth from the original ClinCheck model was superimposed on the digital model from the post-treatment scan. For the studied parameters, the arithmetic mean was calculated, and significant differences were established at a significance level of p <0.05.

RESULTS: As regards treatment result, patients showed a significant expansion of the upper dental arch in the premolar and molar region as well as protrusion of the incisors. Data showed a high accuracy of prediction using ClinCheck, since no significant differences were found between the mean values obtained as a result of treatment and those predicted using ClinCheck.

CONCLUSIONS: 1) Invisalign technology is effective in widening the upper arch. Following treatment, patients showed significant differences in the width for the first premolars at 4.03±0.24 mm, for the second premolars at 3.61±0.25 mm, for the first molars at 2.11±0.31 (p <0.05), as well as clinically significant incisor protrusion of 6.53±1.41° (p <0.05). 2) Differences between the mean values obtained following treatment and simulated in the ClinCheck program were as follows: expansion along the canines, 0.05±0.11 mm (p >0.05); expansion along the first premolars, −0.04±0.23 mm (p >0.05); expansion along the second premolars, 0.003±0.14 mm (p >0.05); expansion along the first molars, 0.002±0.13 mm (p >0.05), and incisor protrusion, −0.12±0.92° (p >0.05).