Orthodontic treatment using mini-tube appliances and customized resin domes using 3D CAD design

Abstract

Mini-tube appliances can be used instead of orthodontic brackets and tubes. This mini-tube is a simple tube without a bonding base and bonded to the tooth by covering the tube with flowable resin. It is more esthetic and hygienic, although there is a limitation that only NiTi wires can be inserted into the mini-tube appliance. However, this mini-tube has no pre-adjusted in-and-out compensations, and therefore wire bending is required for finishing. This report describes a Class I crowding case treated with mini-tubes and customized resin domes using a virtual setup, 3-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing. By this customization, wire bending or repositioning of mini-tubes was minimized, and treatment was performed with fewer adjustments and increased patient’s comfort.