How effective is the InvisalignA® system in expansion movement with Ex30' aligners?

The aims of this study are to validate a new method for quantifying the predictability of expansion movement with the InvisalignA (R) system and to determine whether there are statistically significant differences between planned expansion with ClinCheckA (R) and actual clinical quantification using upper post-treatment model comparisons. A sample of 116 patients subjected to expansion with InvisalignA (R) was studied. The following variables were measured at T1 and T2 on 3D models and ClinCheckA (R): canine gingival width, first premolar gingival width, second premolar gingival width, first molar gingival width, canine cuspid width, first premolar cuspid width, second premolar cuspid width, first molar cuspid width, canine depth, arch depth, first molar rotation, first right and left molar rotation, and first molar inclination. Measurement error was tested, showing good precision for all variables. The paired test showed non-significant differences between the 3D model and ClinCheckA (R) at T1 for all variables except first molar cuspid width and arch depth. Statistically significant differences were found for canine gingival width, first premolar gingival width, second premolar gingival width, first molar gingival width, canine cuspid width, first premolar cuspid width, second premolar cuspid width, first molar cuspid width, and canine depth when the 3D model and ClinCheckA (R) were compared at T2. Differences between the 3D model and ClinCheckA (R) at T2 showed that planned expansion at the end of treatment is not predictable. This is the first in vivo human study to quantify the predictability of expansion in patients with InvisalignA (R) Ex30 material.