Advancing orthodontic treatment planning - three- and four-dimensional imaging

Orthodontic diagnostics is the foundation of successful treatment and usually relies on a combination of clinical examination and imaging procedures. While two-dimensional imaging techniques such as panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms are still the diagnostic standard due to their rapid availability and low radiation exposure, three-dimensional and four-dimensional imaging techniques are on the rise. Particularly complex cases with pronounced skeletal malocclusion might benefit from the use of conebeam computed tomography or stereophotogrammetry. Real-time magnetic resonance imaging and video stereophotogrammetry enable us to integrate functional aspects by recording movement dynamics. These technologies provide a promising addition to conventional diagnostics.