Evaluation of the predicted vs. achieved occlusal outcomes with the Invisalign® appliance: A retrospective investigation of adult patients

• Published in: International orthodontics 2023-06, Vol.21 (2), p.100746, Article 100746
• Main Authors: Bowman, Emma, Bowman, Patrick, Weir, Tony, Dreyer, Craig W., Meade, Maurice J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clear aligner therapy; Invisalign; Occlusal outcomes; Orthodontic treatment outcomes
• ISSN: 1761-7227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ortho.2023.100746

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between occlusal contacts, overbite, transverse expansion, and the buccolingual inclination of the teeth with reference to the predicted treatment outcomes and achieved outcomes related to the use of the Invisalign® appliance in mild-to-moderate Class I malocclusions. The occlusal contacts, overbite, the buccolingual inclination and transverse expansion of the maxillary arch of adult patients satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria were measured at the initial (pre-treatment), predicted, and achieved treatment stages using metrology software. Pearson correlation coefficients and regression equations were calculated to determine the association between the initial, predicted and achieved changes in occlusal contact against the other variables. Thirty-three patients, who commenced treatment between 2013 and 2018 and satisfied inclusion/exclusion criteria were evaluated. An overall loss of posterior contact was recorded and highlighted by a significantly greater loss of contact from the maxillary buccal occlusal surfaces compared to the palatal occlusal surfaces. The mean [SD] achieved overbite outcome (2.94mm [1.17]) was greater than the predicted (1.74mm [0.87), P