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Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
Published on: February 23, 2024
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Directly printed aligner therapy: A 12-month evaluation of application and effectiveness
Vanessa Knode1, Björn Ludwig2, Jean-Marc Retrouvey3
1Department of Orthodontics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Summary
Directly printed aligners (DPAs) show promise for mild-to-moderate malocclusion, significantly improving occlusal outcomes. Further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness compared to other orthodontic treatments.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Dental Technology
Background:
- Directly printed aligners (DPAs) offer potential advantages in manufacturing efficiency, reduced waste, and improved patient-specific fit.
- Advances in materials, software, and 3D printing have driven the adoption of DPAs in orthodontics.
- While DPAs show potential for complex cases, their clinical effectiveness remains under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of directly printed aligners (DPAs) in managing malocclusion.
- To assess occlusal improvement, treatment duration, and adverse effects associated with DPA therapy.
- To investigate factors influencing the need for refinement and final occlusal outcomes in DPA treatment.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study involving 54 patients treated with DPAs.
- Occlusal improvement was assessed using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) score.
- Regression models analyzed the association between refinement needs, final PAR scores, and treatment variables.
Main Results:
- The mean initial aligner count was 7.1 (maxillary) and 5.1 (mandibular).
- Refinement was necessary for 40.8% of patients; this was not significantly related to the total number of aligners.
- A significant reduction in PAR score (86.6%) was observed, from 17.01 to 2.25, with weak evidence of association with aligner count.
Conclusions:
- DPAs appear effective for managing mild-to-moderate malocclusions, achieving substantial occlusal improvement.
- The study provides preliminary evidence supporting the use of DPAs, but further prospective research is warranted.
- Comparative studies are needed to determine the relative efficacy of DPAs against alternative orthodontic treatments.
