Published Online: Mar 20, 2024
Page range: 60 - 66
Received: Dec 01, 2023
Accepted: Feb 01, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoj-2024-0006
© 2024 Li Mei et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Introduction
The biomechanical behaviour of clear aligners can affect the clinical efficacy of tooth movement.
Objectives
To investigate the aging effects of clear aligners to suggest an optimal wear time from the biomechanical perspective.
Methods
Brand new “as-received” (0-day) clear aligners (Invisalign, Align Co., USA) were immersed in distilled water and placed in an incubator at a constant temperature of 37°C for 21 days to simulate the aging process encountered in the oral cavity. The biomechanical properties (flexural strength, translucency, surface roughness, hardness, and tensile strength) of the clear aligners were assessed each day. The flexural strength was measured using a digital tension gauge; translucency was assessed using the Vita Easyshade digital spectrophotometer; surface roughness was measured using a profilometer; hardness was measured by the indentation test; and tensile strength was measured using a universal testing machine.
Results
The flexural strength decreased significantly after 7 days (0.22 ± 0.01 N at 3 mm compression; 0.35 ± 0.01 N at 5 mm compression) compared with the baseline (0.26 ± 0.01 N, 0.41 ± 0.01 N, respectively) (difference = 0.15 N,
Conclusions
The flexural strength and hardness of the clear aligners decreased significantly after 7 days and 10 days, respectively. Surface roughness, translucency, and tensile strength varied little during the 21 days of artificial aging.