Digital dental technologies for design, simulation and fabrication are constantly evolving. It is possible to digitally simulate dental movements, as well as displacements of both arches and to produce thermoformed splints manufactured from this simulation. The authors present the coupling of intraoral 3D scanning with low-dose radiation 3D radiography that allows for a very precise surgical setup, preparation of repositioning aligners, and fabrication of osteosynthesis plates. The orthodontic-surgical management protocol with aligners used by the first author will be described in detail. The authors present, through clinical cases, the progress made in orthognathic surgery thanks to 3D and the Invisalign® thermoformed tray system. Looking at the three clinical cases presented, it can be seen that the average treatment time was much less than the average time for usual orthodontic-surgical protocols.
Keywords: 3D Scanning; Aligners; Orthodontic-surgical treatments; Thermoformed splint.