The new additive era of orthodontics: 3D-printed aligners and shape memory polymers—the latest trend—and their environmental implications

The era of printed aligners has just began in the orthodontic field. Orthodontists have become more interested in 3D-printed in-office aligners. Treatment due to this technology can become faster and more efficient. Advantages highlighted by newly introduced materials for manufacturing processes of...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Amani Alkhamees
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Orthodontic Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jos.jos_211_23
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850065342928257024
author Amani Alkhamees
author_facet Amani Alkhamees
author_sort Amani Alkhamees
collection DOAJ
description The era of printed aligners has just began in the orthodontic field. Orthodontists have become more interested in 3D-printed in-office aligners. Treatment due to this technology can become faster and more efficient. Advantages highlighted by newly introduced materials for manufacturing processes of 3D aligners present the possibility of overcoming limitations faced by thermoformed aligners, making them a potential replacement of thermoformed aligner. Advances in aligner material, especially shape memory polymers, have the potential to bring about radical transformations in the clinical applications of clear aligner therapy. Safety and cytotoxicity of printable resins along with its mechanical properties must be scientifically studied extensively before it is cleared for clinical use. In addition, with the increased use of aligners, awareness of the environmental burden of plastic waste should be emphasized. Attention should be directed into the development of recyclable materials for aligners along with establishing clear recycling guidelines and patient education programs on proper recycling methods. With the introduction of Graphy’s clear biocompatible photocurable resin, which is equipped with a shape–memory function and is printed in an environmental friendly way by reducing carbon emissions. Direct 3D printing represents the future of clear aligner therapy, and more studies to test these new technologies and materials are required.
format Article
id doaj-art-18dc0e9eb931445ca42a849b8528632a
institution DOAJ
issn 2278-1897
2278-0203
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Journal of Orthodontic Science
spelling doaj-art-18dc0e9eb931445ca42a849b8528632a2025-08-20T02:49:02ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Orthodontic Science2278-18972278-02032024-11-01131555510.4103/jos.jos_211_23The new additive era of orthodontics: 3D-printed aligners and shape memory polymers—the latest trend—and their environmental implicationsAmani AlkhameesThe era of printed aligners has just began in the orthodontic field. Orthodontists have become more interested in 3D-printed in-office aligners. Treatment due to this technology can become faster and more efficient. Advantages highlighted by newly introduced materials for manufacturing processes of 3D aligners present the possibility of overcoming limitations faced by thermoformed aligners, making them a potential replacement of thermoformed aligner. Advances in aligner material, especially shape memory polymers, have the potential to bring about radical transformations in the clinical applications of clear aligner therapy. Safety and cytotoxicity of printable resins along with its mechanical properties must be scientifically studied extensively before it is cleared for clinical use. In addition, with the increased use of aligners, awareness of the environmental burden of plastic waste should be emphasized. Attention should be directed into the development of recyclable materials for aligners along with establishing clear recycling guidelines and patient education programs on proper recycling methods. With the introduction of Graphy’s clear biocompatible photocurable resin, which is equipped with a shape–memory function and is printed in an environmental friendly way by reducing carbon emissions. Direct 3D printing represents the future of clear aligner therapy, and more studies to test these new technologies and materials are required.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jos.jos_211_233d printingalignerspolymersshape memorythermoformed
spellingShingle Amani Alkhamees
The new additive era of orthodontics: 3D-printed aligners and shape memory polymers—the latest trend—and their environmental implications
Journal of Orthodontic Science
3d printing
aligners
polymers
shape memory
thermoformed
title The new additive era of orthodontics: 3D-printed aligners and shape memory polymers—the latest trend—and their environmental implications
title_full The new additive era of orthodontics: 3D-printed aligners and shape memory polymers—the latest trend—and their environmental implications
title_fullStr The new additive era of orthodontics: 3D-printed aligners and shape memory polymers—the latest trend—and their environmental implications
title_full_unstemmed The new additive era of orthodontics: 3D-printed aligners and shape memory polymers—the latest trend—and their environmental implications
title_short The new additive era of orthodontics: 3D-printed aligners and shape memory polymers—the latest trend—and their environmental implications
title_sort new additive era of orthodontics 3d printed aligners and shape memory polymers the latest trend and their environmental implications
topic 3d printing
aligners
polymers
shape memory
thermoformed
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jos.jos_211_23
work_keys_str_mv AT amanialkhamees thenewadditiveeraoforthodontics3dprintedalignersandshapememorypolymersthelatesttrendandtheirenvironmentalimplications
AT amanialkhamees newadditiveeraoforthodontics3dprintedalignersandshapememorypolymersthelatesttrendandtheirenvironmentalimplications