This study evaluates how accurately the attachments used in Invisalign treatment (Align Technology Inc., San Jose, CA, USA) match their planned shapes and sizes in the ClinCheck software (ClinCheck®, Align Technology Inc., San Jose, CA, USA). Attachments are small tooth-colored bumps that help clear aligners grip the teeth and move them effectively. The investigators are comparing two types of attachments: optimized and conventional, to determine which is bonded to the tooth more accurately and maintains its shape better over time. Participants beginning Invisalign treatment will have attachments placed as part of their normal care. Digital scans will be taken immediately after placement and during follow-up visits to assess attachment accuracy and wear. The goal is to identify which attachment design provides greater precision and durability to improve the predictability and efficiency of Invisalign treatment planning.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Composite aligner attachments are small, tooth-colored resin bumps bonded to specific teeth during Invisalign treatment to enhance aligner retention and force application. These attachments are digitally planned in ClinCheck software and fabricated using manufacturer-provided templates. In this study, two designs: optimized and conventional, will be compared for their accuracy and durability using 3D digital scans at multiple time points.
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Attachment Volume Accuracy
Quantitative comparison of planned versus bonded Invisalign attachment volumes measured using 3D (three dimensional) digital scans. Each bonded attachment will be segmented from intraoral STL (Standard Tessellation Language) files and superimposed onto the corresponding planned ClinCheck model. The absolute difference in attachment volume (in mm³) between planned and bonded models will be calculated to assess bonding accuracy for optimized and conventional designs.
Time frame: 1 month
Attachment Active Surface Area Accuracy
Quantitative difference in attachment active surface area using intraoral 3D scans. STL models obtained at baseline (immediately after bonding) and at 1 month will be superimposed to calculate difference in active surface area (mm²). The mean difference between planned and bonded surface areas will be compared for optimized and conventional attachment designs to evaluate bonding precision.
Time frame: 1 month
Positional Accuracy
Difference between planned and bonded attachment position, measured as centroid displacement (mm) after 3D registration of STL models at baseline and 1 month.
Time frame: 1 month
Volume Reduction Over Time
Quantitative change in attachment volume across follow-up using serial intraoral 3D scans. STL models acquired at baseline (immediately after bonding), 1, 3, and 6 months will be superimposed to calculate absolute loss in attachment volume (mm³) for optimized and conventional designs.
Time frame: 6 months
Volume Loss (Percentage)
Relative change in attachment volume expressed as a percentage of the baseline volume. STL models from baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months will be analyzed to calculate mean percent reduction (%) in attachment volume for optimized and conventional designs.
Time frame: 6 months
Active Surface Area Change Over Time
Longitudinal change in the active surface area of bonded attachments measured from serial intraoral 3D scans. Segmented STL models at baseline (immediately after bonding), 1, 3, and 6 months will be registered to compute absolute change in active surface area (mm²) for optimized and conventional designs.
Time frame: 6 months
Active Surface Area Change (Percentage)
Relative change in attachment active surface area expressed as a percentage of the baseline value. STL models obtained at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months will be analyzed to calculate mean percent reduction (%) in active surface area for optimized and conventional attachments.
Time frame: 6 months
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