Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38879479›Full record

ArticleBMC oral health2024

Predictability of expansion movements performed by clear aligners in mixed dentition in both arches: a retrospective study on digital casts.

Saveria Loberto, Chiara Pavoni, Silvia Fanelli, Letizia Lugli, Paola Cozza, Roberta Lione

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC oral health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  3. [Advancements in biomechanics and orthodontic strategies for clear aligner therapy].Hua xi kou qiang yi xue za zhi = Huaxi kouqiang yixue zazhi = West China journal of stomatology · 2026
    Pooled it
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Saveria LobertoPhd graduate, Department of Health Science, Unicamillus-Saint Camillus International Medical University, Rome, Italy.
Chiara PavoniResearcher, Department of Health Science, Unicamillus-Saint Camillus International Medical University, Rome, Italy.
Silvia FanelliResearch fellow, Department of Health Science, UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International Medical University, Rome, Italy.
Letizia LugliResearch fellow, Department of Health Science, UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International Medical University, Rome, Italy. lugliletizia96@gmail.com.
Paola CozzaProfessor, Department of Health Science, Unicamillus-Saint Camillus International Medical University, Rome, Italy.
Roberta LioneResearcher, Department of Health Science, Unicamillus-Saint Camillus International Medical University, Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundto evaluate the predictability of expansion achieved in patients in early mixed dentition treated with Clear Aligners (CA), analyzing the efficiency of the expansion at the end of the first set of aligners and at the end of the therapy in the upper and lower arch.

methods36 patients (20 F, 16 M; mean age 8.3 ± 1.5 years) were selected retrospectively from the Department of Orthodontics of the Hospital of Rome "Tor Vergata". All subjects were treated with CA with no other auxiliaries than attachments. For each patient a standardized sequential expansion protocol was planned for both arches. Digital dental casts were created at three observation periods from an intraoral scanner: prior to treatment (T0), at the end of the first set of aligners (T1), at the end of treatment (T2). The 3D models in planned position determined by the first Clincheck (CC) were obtained for comparison with T1 and T2. Six linear transversal measurements were used to evaluate the dimensional changes and the predictability of expansion movements, comparing T1-CC and T2-CC.

resultsa statistically significant increase within the pre-treatment and the final outcomes for all the variables examined was found. In the upper arch, the greatest level of predictability was detected at the level of the first (46.44%) and second deciduous molar width (44.95%) at T1. The analysis of T2-CC changes showed a significant increase in the percentage of predictability of expansion at the level of the first permanent molars, at mesial (54.86%) and distal (58.92%) width. In the lower arch, a higher percentage of predictability than the upper arch was reported at T1-CC and T2-CC, with the greatest values at the level of second (T1-CC: 48.70%; T2-CC: 75.32%) and first deciduous molar width (T1-CC: 45.71%; T2-CC: 72.75%).

conclusionsCA can induce significant transversal increments. The predictability of expansion is variable, but it did not exceed the 50% during the first set of aligners. It was necessary to apply refinement set to achieve a good predictability for expansion of about 70%. The expansion in the lower arch was observed to be more predictable than in the upper arch.

Indexed as

Dental ArchDentition, MixedModels, DentalPalatal Expansion TechniqueCephalometryChildFemaleForecastingHumansImaging, Three-DimensionalMaleMalocclusionMandibleMaxillaOrthodontic Appliance DesignOrthodontic Appliances, RemovableClear alignerDigital dental castsInterceptive treatmentMandibular expansionMaxillary expansionMixed dentitionPredictabilityTransversal changes

Identifiers

PMID38879479
PMCPMC11179342

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.