Modern diagnostic aids: Exploring advanced tools

Orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning have evolved in recent years making it more reliable and easy clinical tool. Recent diagnostic tools are issue oriented. Orthodontic treatment is carried out in all three dimensions, but we were having diagnostic aids to examine patient in two dimensions. But, now the concept of orthodontic treatment have changed w.r.t aesthetics and function. The recent advancement of digital technologies is 3D imaging making it more dynamic. The 3 dimensional diagnostic tools include digital scanning, 3D models, digital radiographic records and analysis, CBCT, CAD/CAM technology and 3D printers. The accuracy has been increased. Diagnostic capabilities of the imaging tools have been improved with digital processes, making orthodontic treatment more efficient, accurate and comfortable as compared to past. This article aims to give an insight into recent technology in diagnostic tools.