Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
Published on: February 23, 2024
Attachments for the Orthodontic Aligner Treatment-State of the Art-A Comprehensive Systematic Review
Maciej Jedliński1,2, Marta Mazur1,2, Mario Greco3
1Department of Interdisciplinary Dentistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.
Background:
In recent years the burden of aligner treatment has been growing. However, the sole use of aligners is characterized by limitations; thus attachments are bonded to the teeth to improve aligner retention and tooth movement. Nevertheless, it is often still a challenge to clinically achieve the planned movement. Thus, the aim of this study is to discuss the evidence of the shape, placement and bonding of composite attachments.
Methods:
A query was carried out in six databases on 10 December 2022 using the search string ("orthodontics" OR "malocclusion" OR "Tooth movement techniques AND ("aligner*" OR "thermoformed splints" OR "invisible splint*" AND ("attachment*" OR "accessor*" OR "auxill*" AND "position*").
Results:
There were 209 potential articles identified. Finally, twenty-six articles were included. Four referred to attachment bonding, and twenty-two comprised the influence of composite attachment on movement efficacy. Quality assessment tools were used according to the study type.
Conclusions:
The use of attachments significantly improves the expression of orthodontic movement and aligner retention. It is possible to indicate sites on the teeth where attachments have a better effect on tooth movement and to assess which attachments facilitate movement. The research received no external funding. The PROSPERO database number is CRD42022383276.
