Quality control for orthodontic braces

Translucent orthodontic braces are offered as alternative to the classical metal retainers. They gained popularity due to their lower cost, less intrusiveness, ease of use. This is because the set of braces, with gradually changing shape is produced once and the user just uses different brace with a time. With classic, metal retainers, the patient needs to visit orthodontist quite often to make small adjustment. I do not know medical pros and cons of these solutions, but I know that from economical point of view, the translucent ones are more effective.

I was involved in a quality control system for a production line for translucent braces, utilizing 3D scanner to compare the product with a model. I cannot reveal any details due to NDA. I can only say that the solution involved an automated 3D digitization system, data integration and processing as well as analysis modules. The software was written fully in C++. I led the team of developers working on it, but I was also involved in implementing algorithms for comparing measurement results to the 3D model.