Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Materials for Clear Orthodontic Aligners: A New Three‐Dimensional Experimental Setting
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The mechanical properties of polyethylene terephthalate glycol modified (PETG) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), commonly used in clear orthodontic aligners, significantly influence their clinical performances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present investigation involved the use of a universal testing machine equipped with specialised software to examine the mechanical behaviour of PETG and TPU aligners. The 2 materials with 2 thicknesses (0.6, 0.9 mm) were subjected to tensile tests under simulated intraoral conditions, and the responses of the materials to the varying displacements, were analysed to investigate their respective behaviours under different loading conditions. The Mann-Whitney U test was employed to assess differences between the groups. RESULTS: For 0.9 mm thickness, the stiffness between the two materials was not significantly different, except for the canine region, where TPU was significantly stiffer. Aligners fabricated in PETG with greater thickness consistently showed higher stiffness compared to thinner PETG, indicating that material behaviour varies with thickness, except for the canine region. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanical behaviour of thermoplastic materials for clear aligners is influenced by material type, thickness and tooth location.
DOI: 10.1111/ocr.70067
Authors: Lucia Pozzan, Valentina Bertolami, Beatrice Gabbana, Jacopo Morona, Tihana Belašič Zibar, Gianluca Turco, Davide Porrelli, Luca Contardo
Institutions: University of Trieste, University of Perugia
Language: English
Subfield: Orthodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4416945069