Thickness and Fitting Accuracy of Direct 3D-Printed and Thermoformed Clear Aligners:A Comparative Study
10.16156/j.1004-7220.2025.04.010
- VernacularTitle:直接3D打印与热压膜透明矫治器厚度及贴合精度的比较研究
- Author:
Caiqi CHENG
1
;
Ruiqing WANG
1
;
Shengzhao XIAO
1
;
Xinyue TANG
1
;
Lunguo XIAO
1
;
Bing FANG
1
Author Information
1. 上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院口腔正畸科;上海交通大学口腔医学院;国家口腔医学中心;国家口腔疾病临床医学研究中心;上海市口腔医学重点实验室;上海市口腔医学研究所,上海 200011
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
clear aligners;
three-dimensional(3D)printing;
thermoforming;
thickness;
fitting accuracy;
biomechanics
- From:
Journal of Medical Biomechanics
2025;40(4):866-871
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To compare the differences in thickness and fitting accuracy between direct-printed aligners(DPA)and conventional thermoformed aligners(TFA),and to provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of clear aligners(CAs).Methods Sixteen adult subjects with mild dental crowding and no significant caries or restorations were recruited.For each subject,CAs were fabricated using direct three-dimensional(3D)printing and conventional thermoforming methods.The CA thickness was measured at the labial/buccal and lingual surfaces of incisors,canines,and first molars using a high-precision electronic thickness gauge.Micro-CT scanning was employed to analyze the gap between the CAs and dental models,followed by statistical analyses.Results The overall mean thickness of the DPA group was(0.60±0.04)mm,significantly higher than that of the TFA group(0.48±0.06)mm(P＜0.000 1),with superior thickness uniformity.The average gap between CAs and dental models in the DPA group was(0.29±0.08)mm,significantly smaller than that in the TFA group(0.31±0.16)mm(P＜0.05),particularly at the incisal edges of incisors,buccal surfaces of canines,and occlusal surfaces of first molars.Conclusions Compared to conventional TFA,DPA demonstrates significant advantages in thickness uniformity and fitting accuracy,indicating that DPA has greater application potential in orthodontic clinical treatment.
