📄 Abstract
Orthodontic treatment has traditionally relied on fixed appliance therapy to achieve precise and controlled tooth movement. Although fixed appliances remain the gold standard for managing complex malocclusions, increasing patient demand for esthetic, comfortable, and minimally invasive treatment options has driven the evolution of alternative orthodontic modalities. Among these, clear aligner therapy has gained remarkable popularity over the past two decades and has emerged as a significant component of contemporary orthodontic practice. Clear aligners are removable, transparent orthodontic appliances fabricated using digital technology to deliver programmed tooth movements through a series of sequential aligners. Their appeal lies primarily in superior esthetics, improved patient comfort, and the ability to maintain oral hygiene more effectively when compared to conventional fixed appliances. Initially, the use of aligners was restricted to minor tooth movements such as mild crowding, spacing, and relapse correction. However, rapid advancements in material science, digital treatment planning, and auxiliary biomechanics have considerably expanded their clinical applications. The integration of three-dimensional imaging, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD-CAM), and virtual treatment simulations has transformed aligner therapy from a simple removable appliance into a sophisticated biomechanical system. Modern aligner systems incorporate features such as optimized attachments, interproximal reduction protocols, staged tooth movement, and the use of auxiliaries including elastics and temporary anchorage devices. These innovations have enhanced the predictability of tooth movement and allowed aligners to be used in increasingly complex orthodontic cases.
📚 How to Cite:
Prashant Balyan , Tarun Kumar, Santosh Kumar, Namrata Dogra , Ashi Bakshi , CLEAR ALIGNER THERAPY IN CONTEMPORARY ORTHODONTICS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW , Volume 12 , Issue 8, August 2026, EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) , Pages: 120 - 123 ,