Comparing the Impact of Rubber Bands on Teeth Straightening with Clear Aligners Versus Traditional Braces: a Clinical Study

Effects of Class II Elastics During Treatment with Clear Aligners Vs Fixed Appliance: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Aim: To analyze the inclination of lower incisors in patients with Class II malocclusion treated with elastics and clear aligners compared to a group wearing the same elastics and fixed appliance. A sample of 40 patients (19M and 21F), mean age 15.4±1.8 years, was randomly divided in two groups: Clear aligner group (CA), Fixed appliance group (FA). The subjects were selected according to inclusion criteria: full permanent dentition (excluding third molars), Class II molar relationship (2,5-4 mm), no history of orthodontic treatment.

Trial design: Prospective two-arms parallel group randomized clinical trial with 1:1 allocation ratio.

Materials and Methods: A sample of 40 patients (19M and 21F), mean age 15.4±1.8 years, was collected from the Department of Orthodontics at Policlinico "Tor Vergata" of Rome, and it was randomly divided in two groups: Clear aligner group (CA), Fixed appliance group (FA). The subjects were selected according to inclusion criteria: full permanent dentition (excluding third molars), Class II molar relationship (2,5-4 mm), no history of orthodontic treatment. Results: In the short term (T1-T0=18 months), the analysis of the results showed no statistically significant changes in all evaluated parameters. Therefore, there is no statistically significant change in the inclination of the lower incisors between the two groups.

Conclusions: The use of Class II elastics in CA group showed a better control of the lower incisors' inclination, compared to the FA group, even if the difference is not significant.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number: ..........)

Inclusion Criteria:

• full permanent dentition (excluding third molars), Class II molar relationship (2,5-4 mm), no or moderate crowding (0- 3 mm) no history of orthodontic treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• not completed permanent dentition, skeletal Class II or dental Class II more than 4 mm, crowding more than 3 mm, subjects already treated with iother orthodontic appliances.