TELEDENTISTRY IN ORTHODONTICS: ADVANTAGES AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

Teledentistry is the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide dental care, educational services, consultations and public awareness. The aim of the study. To systematize the data of scientific literature on modern views on the use of teledentistry in orthodontics. Materials and methods of the study. The study was conducted by retrospective analysis of scientific papers that met the purpose of the study. Results of the study. Orthodontic treatment has specific characteristics, as it usually lasts from 6 months to a few years and requires careful monitoring and individualized planning. During the war in Ukraine, many patients lost the ability to regularly attend clinics, which complicated treatment. In this context, teledentistry has become an important tool for maintaining communication between patients and orthodontists, providing remote consultations both during active treatment and in the retention phase. Modern digital technologies, such as Dental Monitoring, SmileSnap, Grin, OrthoSnap, and Invisalign modules, enable remote monitoring, appliance-wear control, and real-time online consultations. These tools contribute to personalized therapy, continuity of treatment, and convenience for patients. The main forms of telemedicine in orthodontics include initial online consultations, regular monitoring of treatment progress, appliance usage control, and follow-up after the active treatment phase. The advantages of teledentistry include managing emergencies, early detection of complications, reducing the number of in-person visits, saving time and resources, providing psychological support, and offering educational opportunities for dentists and students. At the same time, limitations remain: the inability to perform certain diagnostic procedures, dependence on the quality of photos and videos, the need for in-person examinations in complex cases, as well as imperfect legal regulation and concerns about data protection. Conclusions. Teledentistry has the potential to overcome geographical barriers and expand access to care, but it cannot fully replace in-person visits. Effective implementation requires clear regulatory frameworks, patient data protection, and training of dentists to work with telemedicine technologies. Further clinical validation is needed to confirm the safety and accuracy of these methods. Overall, teledentistry is a valuable complement to traditional practice but requires refinement for full integration into healthcare systems