Dismantling barriers in integrating patient-centred care with additive manufacturing to assess the fit of orthodontic retainers for futuristic preventative healthcare

This study aims to identify and address the critical barriers that occurred during the fabrication of orthodontic retainers and plays a significant role in connecting patient care with evidence-based dentistry as engineers, dentists and researchers all learn to create, program and mash materials and products. Articles addressing the problems faced during the fabrication of orthodontic retainers using 3D Scanning and rapid prototyping methods were compiled and analysed. The study found that orthodontic retainers with more clinically acceptable deviations can be achieved by dismantling the critical barriers encountered during manufacturing. Overcoming the critical manufacturing barriers can revolutionize orthodontic retainers but raises concerns about exacerbating disparities as access to innovative digital manufacturing may not be equitable, deepening the divide in preventive dentistry. This research contributes to the field of orthodontics by providing valuable insights and recommendations for integrating patient-centred care with digital manufacturing to enhance preventative oral healthcare.