Efficiency and effectiveness of SureSmile.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the SureSmile process using the standards of the American Board of Orthodontists Objective Grading System (ABO OGS).


METHODS
Three diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics provided study casts of 62 patients whose orthodontic treatment was consecutively completed. Patients treated using the SureSmile process and a conventional approach were anonymized and randomized prior to independent scoring by two ABO OGS-calibrated examiners.


RESULTS
Intra- and interexaminer reliability was consistent in all components with no differences between examiners (r=0.96, P<.001). The ABO OGS score for the SureSmile patients (mean 26.3) was 4.4 points lower (P<.001) than for those treated conventionally (mean 30.7). Furthermore, treatment with the SureSmile process was shorter (14.7 months vs 20.0 months).


CONCLUSIONS
The SureSmile process results in a lower mean ABO OGS score and a reduced treatment time than conventional approaches. The approach has great potential to both decrease treatment time and improve quality.
Saxe
Alana K
AK
School of Dentistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada 89106, USA. james.mah@sdm.unlv.edu
Louie
Lenore J
LJ
Mah
James
J
D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000145:classification; D003765:Models, Dental; D015588:Observer Variation; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome