Clinical Effectiveness of Clear Aligner Therapy During Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment in Adolescent Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract

Interceptive orthodontics plays a crucial role in guiding dental and facial development while addressing occlusal discrepancies at an early stage. Clear aligner therapy (CAT) has gained popularity as an alternative to conventional orthodontic techniques, particularly with the introduction of Invisalign First for treating patients in the mixed dentition phase. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, assesses the effectiveness of CAT in adolescent interceptive orthodontics. A thorough literature search across PubMed, Embase, and Scopus led to the identification of eight relevant studies examining treatment outcomes such as arch expansion, anterior crossbite correction, and patient satisfaction. The search strategy employed keywords and MeSH terms such as "clear aligners", "interceptive orthodontics", "adolescents", "mixed dentition", "arch expansion", and "anterior crossbite", combined using Boolean operators like AND and OR to ensure comprehensive coverage. The findings suggest that CAT facilitates transverse arch expansion, delivers predictable clinical results, and promotes better patient adherence. Satisfaction levels among both patients and parents ranged between 85% and 92%, with clear aligners being preferred over traditional orthodontic appliances due to their enhanced comfort and aesthetic appeal. However, limitations such as small sample sizes and inconsistencies in study methodologies restrict the generalizability of these results. A meta-analysis indicated moderate success in arch expansion (3.0-3.5 mm), though significant heterogeneity was observed (I² ~99.9%). While clear aligners show considerable promise in early orthodontic intervention, further well-structured, large-scale studies are necessary to validate their effectiveness and optimize treatment protocols.