Can 3D imaging and digital software increase the ability to predict dental arch form after orthodontic treatment?

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of dental clinicians to predict posttreatment dental arch forms in patients with malocclusion with the aid of 3D imaging and digital software in comparison with a conventional method.

Methods: Pretreatment and posttreatment dental plaster casts of 100 patients (200 maxillary models and 200 mandibular models) were selected. Three orthodontists selected the best-fitted archwires among 5 commercially available preformed nickel-titanium archwires using 2 methods.