Retrospective Assessment of Clinical Efficiencies of Clear Aligners in Managing Open Embrasures and Radiographic Root Angulations in Routine Orthodontic Therapies: An Original Research Study

Abstract

Background and Aim: Correction of esthetics is the key factor any orthodontic therapy. Latest advancements, newer materials and techniques are now available which offer maximum esthetics with minimum discomfort. Clear aligners are of latest orthodontic modality of such kind. However it has its own situational limitations and dilemmas. Hence, this retrospective study was conducted to assess the clinical efficiencies of clear aligners in managing open embrasures and radiographic root angulations in routine orthodontic therapies.

Materials & Methods: Total thirty patients were selected archives by random selection procedure. In this study, previous pre-treatment and post-treatment records of the patients were extensively explored. For all patients basic diagnostic records including OPG, Intraoral and extraoral photographs, digital models of dental arches were made. Mainly, ClinCheckand Dolphin imaging software were used. Clear Aligner was used to finish all cases. Open gingival embrasures were categorized under group 1 while radiographic root angulations were categorized under group 2. Results thus obtained was compiled and sent for necessary statistical analysis. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant (p< 0.05).

Results: Statistical analysis was completed using statistical software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.0. In age range of 25-26 years, total 9 patients were seen with significant p value (0.02). In group 1, patients depicted clear evidence/occurrence of open gingival embrasures. It has showed significant p values (0.01). For group 2, patients depicted clear evidence/occurrence of radiographic root angulations]. It did not show any significant p values (0.70). Two sample t- test assessment of mean score and standard deviation in both study groups confirmed significant and non significant values for group 1 and 2 respectively. Conclusion: It was concluded that orthodontic patients treated with clear aligners showed clear rise in incidence of open gingival embrasures in regular orthodontic therapies. On contrary, these orthodontic patients treated with clear aligners showed insignificant incidences of presence of radiographic root angulations.