Comparative study on levels of RANKL and OPG in gingival crevicular fluid associated with tooth movement induced by aligners and conventional fixed orthodontic treatment: A prospective study.

This prospective study aims to assess changes in bone metabolism biomarkers RANKL and OPG in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients undergoing treatment with clear aligners and fixed orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners, which are a newer orthodontic treatment modality, have not been explored extensively for changes in biologic mediators with the application of orthodontic forces. A long-term assessment of changes in biomarkers in biological fluids can provide evidence of changes at the biological level and its efficacy when compared to conventional fixed orthodontic treatment. The study will comprise of 20 patients of age group 15- 30 years willing to undergo orthodontic treatment with clear aligners and fixed orthodontic treatment. The gingival crevicular fluid samples of 10 patients with bimaxillary protrusion from each group, who have been subjected to extraction of all premolars, will be collected before beginning the treatment, 24 hours after intervention, 21 days after intervention, and after 6 months of intervention.