Introduction: The objectives of this study were to investigate the biomechanical effects of clear aligners (CAs) with various thermoplastic material thicknesses and gingival-margin designs for space closure in extraction treatment and to propose a computer-aided procedure to optimize CA design.
Methods: The radiologic and intraoral scanning technology, in vitro mechanical experiment, viscoelastic modeling, and finite element analysis (FEA) were integrated to establish an orthodontic simulation model. Twelve FEA models of CA were created, comprising combinations of 2 kinds of thicknesses (0.75 and 0.50 mm), 2 forms of gingival-margin shape (scalloped and straight), and 3 types of margin height (-2, 0, and 2 mm). In vitro testing was carried out to determine the actual properties of material thickness.
Results: A 0.75-mm-thick aligner resulted in greater periodontal ligament (PDL) stress than 0.50 mm, and there was no clear correlation between the control ability of tooth movement and the thickness. For different margin designs, PDL stress at -2 mm height was significantly lower than those with a higher border. Aligners with straight margins had higher stress than the scalloped aligners, whereas the differences were unnoticeable at 2 mm height. The optimized aligner with differential margin designs was recommended on the basis of biomechanical calculations, which facilitated the efficiency and control of tooth movement for multiple teeth.
Conclusions: The effect of material thickness and margin design of CA on the force and movement differed in different teeth. Preferable CA designs of each tooth during different movement stages should be presented personalized under the guidance of precise biomechanics instead of pure morphologic analysis.
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