Contactless measurement of canine retraction by digital macrophotogrammetry during hybrid retractor application.

A new contactless method for measuring tooth movements is presented. Digital macrophotogrammetry (DMP) enables the orthodontist to obtain information on the three-dimensional movement of a tooth at each session. Analysis of the DMP images provides information on the translation and toration of a tooth during treatment. It is conceivable that the introduction of DMP will make an important contribution to quality assurance.DMP application during canine retraction with the Hybrid Retractor((R)) has pave the way for the orthodontic appliance to be correctly adjusted at each session. Despite intra- and interindividual differences during canine movement, for which the anisotropy of the bone seems to be basically responsible, a movement velocity of ca 1.2 mm is to be expected over the entire treatment period. The preconditions for the three-dimensional orientation and description of canine movement are:1. The markers on the brackets and attachments must be clearly visible throughout the treatment.2. The teeth to which the scaling frame is fixed should not move during treatment.3. Four measuring points should be visible on each bracket.4. The control points on the frame must be positioned three-dimensionally, and it must be possible to determine their position with sufficient accuracy in advance. In vitro calibration of the photogrammetry presented here yielded a resolution of 1 micrometer for translation and of better than 1/10 degrees for rotation around the three spatial axes under optimal conditions.