Laser guided automated calibrating system for accurate bracket placement.
BACKGROUND
The basic premise of preadjusted bracket system is accurate bracket positioning. It is widely recognized that accurate bracket placement is of critical importance in the efficient application of biomechanics and in realizing the full potential of a preadjusted edgewise appliance.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to design a calibrating system to accurately detect a point on a plane as well as to determine the accuracy of the Laser Guided Automated Calibrating (LGAC) System.


METHODS
To the lowest order of approximation a plane having two parallel lines is used to verify the accuracy of the system. On prescribing the distance of a point from the line, images of the plane are analyzed from controlled angles, calibrated and the point is identified with a laser marker.


RESULTS
The image was captured and analyzed using MATLAB ver. 7 software (The MathWorks Inc.). Each pixel in the image corresponded to a distance of 1cm/413 (10 mm/413) = 0.0242 mm (L/P). This implies any variations in distance above 0.024 mm can be measured and acted upon, and sets the highest possible accuracy for this system.


CONCLUSIONS
A new automated system is introduced having an accuracy of 0.024 mm for accurate bracket placement.
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Kuntikana, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
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Anitha
Department of Soft Condensed Matter, Raman Research Institute, Sadashivnagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
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Kumar
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
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Mascarenhas
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
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Husain
Hough transforms; Indirect bonding technique; Laser; Orthodontic bracket placement