Efficiency of Invisalign First® to promote expansion movement in mixed dentition: a retrospective study and systematic review

Authors

  • A Gonçalves UNIPRO – Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal - Center for MicroElectroMechanical Systems (CMEMS), University of Minho, Campus Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães
  • S Ayache UNIPRO – Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra
  • F Monteiro Center for MicroElectroMechanical Systems (CMEMS), University of Minho, Campus Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal - ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal - LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães
  • FS Silva Center for MicroElectroMechanical Systems (CMEMS), University of Minho, Campus Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal - LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães
  • T Pinho UNIPRO – Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal - IBMC - Instituto Biologia Molecular e Celular, i3S - Inst. Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2023.1754

Keywords:

efficiency, Invisalign First® aligners, maxillary expansion, mixed dentition, palatal expansion technique

Abstract

AIM: The present study aimed: i) to retrospectively evaluate the expansion movement predicted by the Clincheck® software and the achieved expansion using Invisalign First® in children needing maxillary expansion to correct malocclusions; and ii) to critically compare these clinical results with the outcomes obtained for maxillary expansion using conventional removable and cemented expanders. MATERIALS: The 3D digital models of the dental arches of 24 children undergoing orthodontic treatment exclusively with Invisalign First® aligners between 2018 and 2021 were sequentially selected for this study. Three digital models were analysed: pre-treatment (P0), the Clincheck®-predicted tooth positions (P1), and post-treatment (P2) models. The maxillary dental arch width and expansion efficiency were measured and calculated. An in-depth review of the available literature on maxillary expansion was performed following PRISMA guidelines. CONCLUSION: Our data shows that Invisalign First® system can increase the arch width with maxillary expansion effectiveness, providing similar results to those achieved with conventional removable appliances. However, neither Invisalign First® aligners nor conventional removable expanders are as much efficient as cemented-retained appliances.