49 - Comparison between flowable composites and flowable bulk-fill composites in the manufacture of attachments for orthodontic aligners: a split-mouth randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction

Orthodontic aligner attachments are crucial for enhancing dental movements that aligners alone cannot achieve, with recent advancements in design and materials improving treatment precision and efficacy. This study aims to compare the performance of conventional and bulk-fill flowable composites in fabricating orthodontic attachments to determine their bond strength, wear resistance, and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Fifty participants (21 men, 29 women) underwent orthodontic treatment with Invisalign aligners and were randomly allocated to one of the groups: Group 1 comprised 25 patients (9 men, 16 women) with a mean age of 38.56 years (± 7.57) and consisted of participants who used flowable composites on the right side and flowable bulk-fill composites on the left side, while Group 2 comprised 25 patients (12 men, 13 women) with a mean age of 37.15 years (± 6.23) and consisted of participants who used flowable composites on the left side and flowable bulk-fill composites on the right side. Blinding of the clinician and participants was impossible but was performed at the time of measurements. All participants received the allocated intervention.

Results

The maxillary and mandibular Little irregularity index were significantly corrected with treatment at T2 in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in intergroup comparisons of the absence or presence of attachments in T2 when analyzing all teeth individually or when comparing each tooth with its contralateral. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the Cox Regression, with p = 0.293.

Conclusion

There is no statistically significant difference between using flowable composites with or without filler when making attachments for orthodontic aligners.