The virtual articulator in aligner orthodontics

The assignment of the mandible to the maxilla and thus the occlusal relationship in the virtual treatment simulation was previously performed exclusively in centric occlusion by means of a buccal scan. When the tooth position is changed in the virtual treatment simulation, the assignment of the mandible to the new occlusion is made by means of “best fit”, a pure vertical elevation of the mandible that differs from the closing and opening movement of the mandible in real motion according to the global centre of rotation, formerly known as the hinge axis. Thus, the occlusal relationship set at the end of the virtual treatment simulation always differs from the patient’s occlusion at the end of treatment. Recording the real motion and subsequent matching in the virtual treatment simulation, on the other hand, makes it possible to correct virtual tooth positions under the patient’s individual opening and closing movement using their real motion within the global centre of rotation. In addition, the assignment of the mandible to the maxilla in the virtual treatment simulation can take place in a corrected, physiological condylar position. Arch motion analysis, followed by use of the virtual articulator in the virtual treatment simulation, represents the missing link in a fully digital orthodontic workflow.