Assessment Of Different Chemical Leakages From Different Clear Aligners-An In Vivo Study

Abstract

Aims and Background: Clear aligners are increasingly preferred due to their aesthetic and removable design. However, concerns have arisen about the potential leaching of Bisphenol-A (BPA), a known endocrine-disrupting chemical, from these thermoplastic materials. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the in vivo release of BPA from three different aligner systems: Invisalign, Straumann Clear Correct, and NovoAlign.

Materials and Methods: Thirty participants were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 10 each). Aligners were collected at baseline (T0) and after 14 days of intraoral use (T1). BPA extraction was done using HPLC-grade methanol, and quantification was performed through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey HSD post hoc tests.

Results: All groups showed a significant increase in BPA levels from T0 to T1 (p < 0.05). NovoAlign® showed the highest release, followed by Invisalign®, while Clear Correct® showed the least. ANOVA confirmed statistically significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion: BPA release is influenced by aligner material, with significant inter-brand variation. The findings underscore the need to consider material biocompatibility in aligner selection.

Clinical Significance: Safer, BPA-free aligners should be prioritized in long-term orthodontic treatment.