The effects of brief daily vibration on clear aligner orthodontic treatment

Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists

Available online 3 November 2018

Abstract

Background

Tooth movement with clear aligners does not always follow the computer-generated treatment plan. The deficiency in tracking increases when the aligners are changed more frequently. Recently, it has been shown that high-frequency acceleration (vibration) increases the rate of tooth movement by targeting the periodontal ligament (PDL). Here we hypothesize that brief, daily application of vibration will increase the efficiency of clear aligner treatment by stimulating cytokines and bone remodeling factors in PDL without increasing pain or discomfort.

Methods

Sixty subjects were recruited and divided into five groups changing clear aligners at different time intervals with or without vibration application for 5 minutes per day. After four aligners, scanned intraoral images and the digital simulation software (ClinCheck) images were superimposed and the rate of anterior-posterior movement of one lower anterior tooth was measured. We evaluated the level of cytokines in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) at the end of the second aligner, and assessed pain using a numeric rating scale at days 1 and 3 after each aligner change.

Results

The present study demonstrated that short daily vibration treatment significantly reduced the time intervals between aligners and the tooth movement tracked more closely to the ClinCheck prediction. This effect was accompanied by higher levels of cytokines and bone remodeling markers in the GCF and lower levels of pain and discomfort.

Conclusion

Daily vibration treatment produced clinically significant shortening of the time needed for mandibular incisor anterior-posterior correction with clear aligners.