Perspectives of tele-orthodontics in the COVID-19 emergency and as a future tool in daily practice

Authors

  • S Saccomanno Lecturer, Orthodontics Residency School, University of L'Aquila
  • V Quinzi Adjunct Professor, Orthodontics Residency, University of L'Aquila
  • S Sarhan Student, Dental School, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome
  • L Laganà Student, Dental School, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome
  • G Marzo Full Professor, Dental School, University of L'Aquila

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2020.21.02.12

Keywords:

COVID-19, Tele-orthodontics, Emoji, Malocclusion, Rapid Palatal Expander

Abstract

AIM: The aim of our study was to explain how tele-orthodontics represents the only way to perform orthodontics during a period of restriction as the one subsequent to COVID-19 emergencies: To do this, we report a case study and explore the proposal of a model of tele-orthodontics, considering the advantages of this modality in the immediate post-emergency phase and in the future daily practice. METHODS: Study design: Our study involves 30 patients, who had undergone different orthodontic therapies in a traditional way, and that the clinician continued to follow by means of tele-orthodontics. Given the obvious limitations of tele-practice, a comparison with patients who did not undergo any follow-up or underwent only in-office follow-ups could not be possible. The communication tools used in our study and proposed in our model of tele-orthodontics are videocalls, dedicated applications, intraoral and extraoral photos taken by the patients and instant messaging.