• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제52권4호
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• pp.249-257
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the dimensional accuracy between thermoformed and direct-printed aligners. Methods: Three types of aligners were manufactured from the same reference standard tessellation language (STL) file: thermoformed aligners were manufactured using Zendura FLX^TM (n = 12) and Essix ACE^TM (n = 12), and direct-printed aligners were printed using Tera Harz^TM TC-85DAP 3D Printer UV Resin (n = 12). The teeth were not manipulated with any tooth-moving software in this study. The samples were sprayed with an opaque scanning spray, scanned, imported to Geomagic^® Control X^TM metrology software, and superimposed on the reference STL file by using the best-fit alignment algorithm. Distances between the aligner meshes and the reference STL file were measured at nine anatomical landmarks. Results: Mean absolute discrepancies in the Zendura FLX^TM aligners ranged from 0.076 ± 0.057 mm to 0.260 ± 0.089 mm and those in the Essix ACE^TM aligners ranged from 0.188 ± 0.271 mm to 0.457 ± 0.350 mm, while in the direct-printed aligners, they ranged from 0.079 ± 0.054 mm to 0.224 ± 0.041 mm. Root mean square values, representing the overall trueness, ranged from 0.209 ± 0.094 mm for Essix ACE^TM, 0.188 ± 0.074 mm for Zendura FLX^TM, and 0.140 ± 0.020 mm for the direct-printed aligners. Conclusions: This study showed greater trueness and precision of direct-printed aligners than thermoformed aligners.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.23-34
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the force delivery profile of thermoformed aligners (TFA) compared with direct-printed aligners (DPA) and to explore the effect of different activation amounts on forces and moments of respective groups. A secondary objective is to observe the amount of stress relaxation that occurs over the 7~14 days when aligners are maintained in a simulated intraoral environment. Materials and Methods: An in vitro setup was created to quantify forces and moments. It consisted of a three dimensional-printed base plate and segmented maxillary teeth, placed in a semi-enclosed chamber to maintain a temperature of 37℃. Ninety clear aligners were divided into nine groups of ten aligners each based on material types (Zendura, ATMOS, TC-85) and activation amounts. Aligners were created with 0.00, 0.25- and 0.50-mm activations for lingual bodily movement of the upper left central incisor and kept on models in the "stressed" position in a 37℃ water bath. Three force components acting on the upper left lateral incisor, upper left central incisor, and upper right central incisor were measured for each time point, beginning from the initial baseline measurement, 8 hours, 16 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, and lastly, 14 days. Result: TC-85 aligners in every activation group showed less force on teeth than Zendura and ATMOS. Significant force levels from 0.0 mm activation were present and stayed consistent over the course of 14 days. Comparisons made for baseline measurements to 7-days and 14-days showed statistically significant change from the baseline force level. Conclusion: TC-85 aligners demonstrated lower, more consistent forces with fewer side effects. Aligners can generate forces even when no activation is programmed. No major decreases in force levels over time were observed; the intra-oral clinical simulated environment and length of observation time could contribute to this.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.199-209
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• 2024

The clinical application of aligners is accompanied by the ageing of the polymer appliances and the attachments used, which may result in inefficiency in reaching the predicted range of tooth movement, and release of compounds and microplastics in the oral cavity as a result of the friction, wear and attrition of the aligner and composite attachment. The purpose of this review is to present the mechanism and effects of in vivo ageing; describe the hydrolytic degradation of aligners and enzymatic degradation of composite attachments; examine the ageing pattern of aligners in vivo, under actual clinical scenarios; and identify a link to the discrepancy between predicted and actual clinical outcome. Lastly, strategies to deal with three potentially critical issues associated with the use of aligners, namely the necessity of weekly renewal, the dissimilar mechanical properties of aligner and attachment resulting in wear and plastic deformation of the aligner, and the development of integuments and biofilms with microbial colonization of the appliance, are discussed.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.160-170
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• 2024

Objective: Owing to the availability of 3D software, scanners, and printers, clinicians are encouraged to produce in-office aligners. Recently, a new direct-printing resin (Tera Harz TC-85DAC) has been introduced. Studies on its mechanical characteristics and biological effects have been published; however, evidence on its efficacy in orthodontic treatment remains scarce. This pilot study aimed to investigate the accuracy of teeth movement achieved with direct-printed aligners. Methods: Seventeen patients (eight males and nine females) with a mean age of 27.67 ± 8.95 years, presenting with dental rotations < 30° and spaces/crowding < 5 mm, were recruited for this study. The teeth movement was planned starting from a T0 digital dental cast. The 3D direct-printed aligners were produced using Tera Harz TC-85DAC resin. Once the orthodontic treatment was completed, a final digital cast was obtained (T1). The planned teeth positions were then superimposed onto the T0 and T1 digital models. The differences between the programmed movements and the achieved overall torque, tip, rotation, and transverse dimensions were assessed using the paired t test or Wilcoxon's signed rank test. Results: The overall accuracies for torque, tip, and rotation were 67.6%, 64.2%, and 72.0%, respectively. The accuracy of the change in transverse diameter was 99.6%. Conclusions: Within the limits of the present pilot study (difficulties with abnormally shaped teeth and use of attachments), it can be concluded that 3D printed aligners can be successfully printed in-house and utilized for mildly crowded cases, with a comparable accuracy of tooth movement to that of other aligners.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.275-281
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• 2015

Objective: To assess the accuracy of anterior tooth movement using clear aligners in integrated three-dimensional digital models. Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography was performed before and after treatment with clear aligners in 32 patients. Plaster casts were laser-scanned for virtual setup and aligner fabrication. Differences in predicted and achieved root and crown positions of anterior teeth were compared on superimposed maxillofacial digital images and virtual models and analyzed by Student's t-test. Results: The mean discrepancies in maxillary and mandibular crown positions were $0.376{\pm}0.041mm$ and $0.398{\pm}0.037mm$, respectively. Maxillary and mandibular root positions differed by $2.062{\pm}0.128mm$ and $1.941{\pm}0.154mm$, respectively. Conclusions: Crowns but not roots of anterior teeth can be moved to designated positions using clear aligners, because these appliances cause tooth movement by tilting motion.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.65-72
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• 2016

Objective: The purposes of this study were to measure the orthodontic forces generated by thermoplastic aligners and investigate the possible influences of different activations for lingual bodily movements on orthodontic forces, and their attenuation. Methods: Thermoplastic material of 1.0-mm in thickness was used to manufacture aligners for 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 mm activations for lingual bodily movements of the maxillary central incisor. The orthodontic force in the lingual direction delivered by the thermoplastic aligners was measured using a micro-stress sensor system for the invisible orthodontic technique, and was monitored for 2 weeks. Results: Orthodontic force increased with the amount of activation of the aligner in the initial measurements. The attenuation speed in the 0.6 mm group was faster than that of the other groups (p < 0.05). All aligners demonstrated rapid relaxation in the first 8 hours, which then decreased slowly and plateaued on day 4 or 5. Conclusions: The amount of activation had a substantial influence on the orthodontic force imparted by the aligners. The results suggest that the activation of lingual bodily movement of the maxillary central incisor should not exceed 0.5 mm. The initial 4 or 5 days is important with respect to orthodontic treatment incorporating an aligner.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.32-42
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the three-dimensional forces created by clear aligners on mandibular teeth during differential activation with en-masse retraction and/or intrusion in vitro. Methods: Six sets of clear aligners were designed for differential en-masse retraction and/or intrusion procedures in a first premolar extraction model. Group A0 was a control group with no activation. Groups A1-5 underwent different degrees of retractions and/or intrusions. Each group consisted of 10 aligners. Aligner forces were measured on a multi-axis force/torque transducer measurement system in real-time. Results: In the en-masse retraction groups (A1 and A2), lingual and extrusive forces were observed on the incisors; the canines mainly received distal forces; intrusive forces were seen on the second premolars; and the molars received mesial forces. In the en-masse retraction and intrusion groups (A3, A4, and A5), incisors also received lingual and extrusive forces; canines received distal and intrusive forces; mesial and extrusive forces were seen on the second premolars; and the second molars received distal and intrusive forces. The vertical forces on the incisors did not differ significantly among groups A1, A3, and A5. However, the vertical forces on the second premolars reversed from intrusion in group A1 to extrusion in groups A3 and A5. Conclusions: With clear aligners, the "bowing effect" is seen during en-masse anterior teeth retraction and can be partially relieved by performing en-masse retraction accompanied by anterior teeth intrusion. Vertical control of incisors remained unsolved during en-masse retraction, even when intrusive activation was added to the anterior teeth.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.326-332
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• 2018

Objective: This study was performed to compare the perception of pain between patients treated with passive self-ligating fixed appliances and those treated with Invisalign aligners. Methods: This prospective study conducted in Saudi Arabia used an estimated sample of 64 patients from a private dental clinic. After obtaining written informed consent, the patients were divided into two groups; one group (n = 32) was treated using passive self-ligating fixed appliances and the other group (n = 32) using $Invisalign^{(R)}$ aligners. Immediately after fitting the appliances, the patients' perception of pain was evaluated through a close-ended and coded self-administrated questionnaire by using a visual analog scale (VAS). Their responses were recorded at 4 hours, 24 hours, day 3, and day 7. Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Pearson's chi-square test were performed for statistical analysis. Results: A lower percentage of patients treated with Invisalign aligners reported pain than did patients treated with passive self-ligating fixed appliances, and these differences were statistically significant (p = 0.001). Similarly, the mean VAS score for the Invisalign group was significantly lower than that for the passive self-ligating fixed appliance group at different intervals during the first week of treatment. The intensity of pain with both appliances peaked at 24 hours (mean VAS score, 3.87) and was lowest (mean VAS score, 1.62) on day 7. Conclusions: During the first week of orthodontic treatment, patients treated with Invisalign aligners reported lower pain than did those treated with passive self-ligating fixed appliances.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.264-275
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• 2023

Objective: To investigate the effects of maxillary orthodontic expansion on the alveolar bone tissue in adult patients treated with aligners by using cone-beam computed tomography. Methods: Thirty patients (22 females and 8 males; mean age: 36.3 years) were treated with Invisalign^® aligners. Cone-beam computed tomography and digital models were obtained before (T0) and after (T1) upper arch expansion. The bone thicknesses in the cervical, middle, and apical areas of the incisors, canines, premolar, and first molars were buccally and palatally measured, totaling 96 areas and 2,880 measurements. The buccolingual inclinations and transverse measurements of the teeth were obtained from digital models to correlate them with the bone changes. The statistical tests used were Student's t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation tests (p < 0.05). Results: From the 96 areas evaluated, 84 revealed an increase or stability in the alveolar bone thickness and twelve displayed significant bone loss. Bone changes did not correlate with the tooth inclination and transverse measurements. Conclusions: Within the limitation of the present study, mild levels of upper arch expansion obtained with Invisalign^® aligners in adult patients did not result in any clinically significant loss of alveolar bone thickness.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제52권6호
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• pp.439-450
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• 2022

This case report describes the treatment of an adult female patient with a history of periodontal disease, Class I malocclusion with extrusion, dental spaces, and pathologic tooth migration. The patient was treated with clear aligners, which effectively controlled the strength and direction of orthodontic forces after 3 months of systematic periodontal treatment. The Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index was calculated from study models before and after treatment. The pretreatment PAR score was 24, and the posttreatment PAR score was 4. The PAR score for this patient changed by 83%. Satisfactory appearance and good function were achieved for this patient.