Effectiveness of clear aligner versus removable inclined plane in treatment of anterior crossbite in mixed dentition: A randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of clear aligners and removable inclined planes (RIP) in management of anterior crossbite in late mixed dentition patients using a 3D digital model.

Materials and methods: Twenty-four patients with functional anterior crossbite, aged 8 to 12 years old, were randomly assigned to two parallel groups: the clear aligner (CA) group with a mean age of 10.74 ± 1.1 years, treated with clear aligner, and the RIP group with a mean age of 10.54 ± 1.06 years. Digital models were obtained for each patient before (T0) and after 4 months of starting the treatment (T1) using an intraoral scanner. The T0 to T1 digital model was superimposed to assess the primary outcome, labial movement of the maxillary incisors. For each model, the following secondary outcomes were evaluated: overbite, intermolar width (IMW), incisor leveling, arch perimeter (AP), and mesiodistal angulation. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, paired t tests, independent t tests, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD test.

Results: There was no significant difference between CA and RIP groups regarding overjet, overbite, incisor leveling, and mesiodistal angulation of the maxillary incisors (P < 0.05). However, a significant difference was found between two groups in IMW, AP, and incisor superimposition (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The CA group showed a more significant increase in labial movement of maxillary incisors, IMW, and AP compared to the RIP group. However, both treatment protocols were effective in treating anterior crossbite. This study was recorded in the ClinicalTrials.gov database (identifier: NCT06015386).