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Review
. 2023 Oct 5;59(10):1773.
doi: 10.3390/medicina59101773.

Orthodontic Aligners: Current Perspectives for the Modern Orthodontic Office

Chung How Kau  1   2 , Jen Soh  3 , Teti Christou  1 , Akanksha Mangal  4
Affiliations
Review

Orthodontic Aligners: Current Perspectives for the Modern Orthodontic Office

Chung How Kau et al. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

Orthodontic aligners are changing the practice of orthodontics. This system of orthodontic appliances is becoming the mainstay appliance of choice for orthodontic offices in many countries. Patient preferences and lifestyle needs have made this appliance the primary choice when seeking care. In the early days, appliances lacked the efficiency and effectiveness of traditional bracket-wire systems, but modern systems are now able to handle a more comprehensive orthodontic caseload. Current systems provide newer biomechanical strategies and artificial intelligence-driven tooth movements for better outcomes. These improvements now mean that an orthodontist can be better prepared to manage a larger number of orthodontic malocclusions. This paper aims to discuss some of the evolution of orthodontic aligners and to describe to orthodontists the fundamentals of aligner therapy. In addition, it will provide an evidence-based outcome to the existing treatment outcomes in the current literature.

Keywords: aligner biomechanics; innovations; orthodontic aligners.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Standard array of pictures for the capture of malocclusion in an 11-year-old patient.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CBCT data show short roots in the anterior zone of the maxillary teeth. Careful treatment planning with the Smartee check clinical simulation software reduced the overall rate of tooth movement in the patient’s treatment plan and also allowed for visualization of the roots. Total number of trays was 30 in this treatment sequence.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a,b) Completion of 30 sets of trays in under 24 weeks. No further root resorption to the anterior teeth and a highly desirable esthetic result for maximum smile projection.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Superimposition of Smartee check tooth simulated results with real intra-oral patient scan data. The results of the patient at T30 were less than 0.25 mm across all tooth movements. This showed that the planned clinical result is producing the desired tooth movement and is one way to ensure proper tracking of the aligners during the patient’s treatment.
Figure 5
Figure 5
A direct 3D-printed aligner being placed in a water bath of 35 degrees Celsius. Notice that the aligner is now able to deform under pressure but recovers its shape memory when placed back into the water bath. This is an important first step in direct 3D-printed aligners.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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