Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41792724›Full record

ArticleBMC oral health2026

Ceramic-reinforced 3D-printed attachments for clear aligner therapy: a laboratory comparison with conventional attachments.

Xiaowei Wu, Haotian Gao, Qingchen Qiao, Xiaowei Li, Ping Ma, Ning Ding, Zeqing Zhao, Yuxing Bai, Dongyu Fang

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

Article in BMC oral health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

9 authors.

Xiaowei Wu *Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 9, Fanjiacun Road, FengTai District, Beijing, 100070, China.
Haotian Gao *Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 9, Fanjiacun Road, FengTai District, Beijing, 100070, China.
Qingchen QiaoDepartment of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 9, Fanjiacun Road, FengTai District, Beijing, 100070, China.
Xiaowei LiDepartment of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 9, Fanjiacun Road, FengTai District, Beijing, 100070, China.
Ping MaBeijing Institute of Dental Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China.
Ning DingBeijing Institute of Dental Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China.
Zeqing ZhaoDepartment of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 9, Fanjiacun Road, FengTai District, Beijing, 100070, China.
Yuxing BaiDepartment of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 9, Fanjiacun Road, FengTai District, Beijing, 100070, China. byuxing@ccmu.edu.cn.
Dongyu FangDepartment of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 9, Fanjiacun Road, FengTai District, Beijing, 100070, China. fangdy@mail.ccmu.edu.cn.

Funding

Beijing Hospitals Authority Clinical Medicine Development Special Funding Support Grant No. ZLRK202330Beijing Natural Science Foundation Grant No. L222115
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundsClear aligner therapy (CAT) depends on accurately fabricated and mechanically reliable attachments to optimize aligner retention and force delivery. Conventional attachments, produced via manual resin filling, are prone to operator variability, prolonged chair-side procedures, and inconsistent bonding outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of preformed 3D-printed attachments as a standardized alternative to conventional resin-based attachments.

methodsFour types of attachment specimens were prepared: a ceramic-reinforced 3D-printed resin (Bego VarseoSmile CrownPlus, BVSC), a universal nano-hybrid restorative resin (Z350), a flowable restorative resin (Z350L), and a common 3D-printed resin (CPR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize surface morphology and degree of conversion. Dimensional accuracy, water sorption, mechanical properties (elastic modulus, yield strength, bonding strength, wear resistance), and cytotoxicity were evaluated.

resultsBoth 3D-printed resins demonstrated significantly higher dimensional accuracy and degree of conversion than conventional restorative resins (P < 0.05). The BVSC group exhibited the best overall performance, showing superior dimensional stability, yield strength, bonding strength, and wear resistance compared with all other groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences in cytotoxicity were observed among all tested materials (P > 0.05).

conclusionsPreformed attachments fabricated using ceramic-reinforced 3D-printed polymers demonstrated high manufacturing precision, favorable mechanical performance, and good biocompatibility. These findings support their feasibility as a standardized and reliable alternative to manually fabricated composite attachments in clear aligner therapy.

Indexed as

CeramicsPrinting, Three-DimensionalTooth Movement TechniquesComposite ResinsDental BondingDental MaterialsHumansMaterials TestingMicroscopy, Electron, ScanningSurface PropertiesComposite ResinsDental Materials3D-printed attachmentsClear aligner therapy(CAT)CytotoxicityDimensional accuracyMechanical propertiesSurface morphology

Identifiers

PMID41792724
PMCPMC13081632

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

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.