Abstract
Clear aligner treatment is an orthodontic treatment that is custom-made with 3D printers without the use of conventional metal or porcelain wires and brackets. It is a modern orthodontic method used to correct tooth positions that need to be corrected aesthetically and functionally. Aim This study aimed to compare the discolouration of teeth and clear aligners after 15 days of full-time use of clear aligners. Materials and methods The 20 patients in the study group had used clear aligners for 45 days, including three different clear aligners for 15 days. In addition, 20 patients were included as a control group to measure the difference in tooth discolouration. Retaining attachments using G-Aenial (GC Corp, Tokyo, Japan) and 3M ESPE (St. Paul, MN, USA) flowable composites were placed crosswise to each patient in the distal regions of all lateral and canine teeth. The performance of three aligner plates (Zendura Flex (Bay Materials LLC, Fremont, CA, USA); Duran (ScheuDental GmbH, Iserlohn, Germany); and Taglus (Laxmi Dental Export Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, India)), two fluid composite attachments, and two clear aligner cleaners regarding discoloration were tested. Each aligner was used for 15 days, and then the patient was moved to the next aligner. Colour change on the aligners and the patients' teeth were assessed from the canine to the middle third and mid-plane of the canine tooth using a VITA Easyshade V spectrophotometer (Bad Säckingen, Germany). An aligner cleaner was used immediately after the patients used their clear aligners, and then the measurements of the aligner color values were completed. The 120 aligners obtained were divided into two groups. Sixty aligners were treated with Fresh Guard (Efferdent, Lynchburg, VA, USA), and the other 60 were treated with Corega (GlaxoSmithKline, London, UK) tablets and stored in a glass of water. Results The colour stability of G-Aenial Flo was higher than that of the 3M ESPE fluid composite (p=0.040 and p=0.024). Our study determined that staining occurred in all the teeth we measured as a result of using aligner. Fresh Guard aligner cleaner caused more discoloration on Zendura and Duran aligners than Corega aligner cleaner (p<0.05). Taglus plaque was found to have more discoloration than Zendura and Duran aligner (p<0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, Duran clear aligners are preferable to other clear aligners in terms of discoloration. In addition, G-Aenial Flo can be recommended as an attachment or fluid composite because of its better color stability results.