ACCURACY OF DIGITAL ORTHODONTIC PLANNING SOFTWARE AND THE PERCEPTION OF ORTHODONTIC PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Introduction: Digital orthodontics has rapidly expanded in recent years, particularly regarding the digital workflow for clear aligner fabrication. Planning software plays a key role in this process, serving as the interface through which virtual setup and subsequences are generated and subsequently converted into aligners. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of different digital planning software and to assess professionals’ perceptions of their functionalities. Methods: The software programs were first categorized based on their characteristics and available tools. Accuracy was then assessed through a digital analysis of the virtual setup using Materialise software (Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Belgium, 3-matic 17.0). Professionals’ perceptions were obtained using an online questionnaire distributed to orthodontic specialists. Statistical analyses included multiple comparisons for questionnaire responses and Spearman’s correlation coefficient to assess relationships between evaluators and planning software. Results: The accuracy of tooth translation movements was comparable across software, exceeding 96% for all systems evaluated. Regarding tooth rotation, similarly high accuracy values were observed, except for Archform software, which demonstrated 73% accuracy. Conclusion: The choice of digital orthodontic planning software appears to be driven more by usability factors—including interface, tools, and interactivity—than by differences in the accuracy of tooth movement prediction.