Evaluation of Buccal Alveolar Bone after Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligner (cone beam study)

Aim: To evaluate the effect of clear aligner on buccal alveolar bone after orthodontic treatment. Subjects and Methods: The present study composed of 14 patients (males, females) aged between 15-25 years who had minor to moderate malocclusion which were randomly selected and divided into two group: Aligner group and Fixed group both groups are prepared for orthodontic treatment and aligner sets and wires are changed in sequence. Patients are selected from the outpatient orthodontic clinic, Faculty of Dental medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut branch. The subjects presented to the orthodontic clinic were assessed for eligibility according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the patients were informed of the procedure and signed an informed consent form. This study was conducted on CBCT scans taken. Results: both aligner and braces have non-significant effect on bone thickness. However, bone height shows significant difference between both groups. Conclusion: bone height reduction in aligner group is lower than in fixed, while there is no significant difference representing bone thickness.