Difference in Occlusal Contacts Obtained with Conventional Orthodontic and Clear Aligner Therapy: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics
• Dental Biomaterials
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Achieving stable and functional occlusal contacts is a primary goal in orthodontic treatment, especially for growing patients.
• Limited evidence exists comparing clear aligner therapy (CAT) and fixed orthodontic therapy (FAT) in establishing adequate occlusal contacts in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare occlusal contact characteristics after CAT and FAT in growing patients.
• To analyze differences in total contacts, distribution, asymmetry, and single-tooth contacts between the two orthodontic modalities.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 24 growing patients (<18 years) with permanent dentition, divided into FAT (n=12) and CAT (n=12) groups.
• Post-treatment digital dental scans were analyzed using color-map analysis to assess occlusal contacts (MCP, OCS, NOCS, half-mm, one-mm).
• Evaluated outcomes included total contacts, antero-posterior distribution, left-right asymmetry, and single-tooth contacts.

Main Results:

• The FAT group exhibited significantly higher total occlusal contact values within the OCS (≤50 μm) compared to the CAT group (p < 0.05).
• FAT showed a different antero-posterior contact ratio, with fewer anterior contacts in OCS, NOCS, half-mm, and one-mm measurements (p < 0.05).
• No significant differences in left-right asymmetry or overall single-tooth contacts were found, except for the second premolar, which had more contacts with FAT (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Fixed orthodontic treatment (FAT) is more effective than clear aligner therapy (CAT) in achieving adequate occlusal contacts in growing patients.
• The observed differences are primarily related to the achievement of tight occlusal contacts and their antero-posterior distribution.