Effect of prerestorative short-term clear aligner therapy in restorative treatment planning

• Published in: The Journal of prosthetic dentistry 2023-05
• Main Authors: Korkut, Bora, Unal, Tuna, Murat, Naci, Özcan, Mutlu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0022-3913; 1097-6841
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2023.02.024

One of the major challenges in restorative dentistry is to provide optimal esthetics in a minimally invasive way. The optimization of dental esthetics and function is directly related to the position and alignment of the anterior teeth, but whether prerestorative clear aligner therapy will enhance esthetics and minimize restorative needs is unclear. The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the effect of prerestorative maxillary and mandibular second premolar to second premolar clear aligner therapy in minimizing the need for restorative treatment. Fifty adult patients treated with clear aligners (Invisalign Go; Align Technology) were included in this study. Previously generated 3-dimensional orthodontic simulations and clinical photographs in the ClinCheck/6.0 software program were used. Three restorative treatment plans for each participant were generated for initial (no aligners), Express (after using 7 aligners), and Lite Packages (after using 20 aligners) by 2 blinded restorative dentistry instructors. The maxillary and mandibular teeth in the smile-line (to the second premolars) were included. Assessment criteria were the estimated number of restorations, restoration surfaces and preparations and incisal edge inclusion, and the need for gingival leveling. The Friedman test and Cochran Q test were used for statistical analyses (α=.05). A strong positive correlation was found between the 2 instructors (P