Association between quantum of linear tooth movement and percentage accuracy in clear aligner therapy - A Retrospective Cohort Evaluation.

The retrospective cohort study primarily aims to evaluate and assess the predictability of clear aligners with respect to linear movements in all 3 planes of space. The study also aims to compare the digitally planned tooth movement and the tooth movement clinically achieved at 1st refinement stage. The study further aims to establish correlation between quantum of tooth movement and its percentage accuracy. 450 maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth (approximately 70 teeth in each set) treated using Flash aligner system would be retrospectively selected. Once the model preparation is completed, the pretreatment models would be digitally segmented for isolating individual tooth as separate objects. It would then be compared with unsegmented treatment plan models with Compare 8.1 software (GeoDigm). The following tooth movement (maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth) would be assessed and percentage accuracy would be calculated: Buccal and Lingual movement; Occlusal and Gingival movement; and Mesial and Distal movement. Data gathered would be assembled on a excel sheet and will be processed using appropriate statistical tests on Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Normality of numerical data would be assessed. The normality of data would decide the statistical tests. Considering the above parameters, the mean accuracy of tooth movement of clear aligners is expected to range from 40% to 60%, comparing between predicted and clinically achieved results for linear tooth movements in the current study.