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Innovative Materials and Technologies in Orthodontics

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Dentistry and Oral Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2026 | Viewed by 274

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Interests: bone and teeth biology; orthodontics; dental movement; dental materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the field of orthodontics has progressed significantly. With rapid advancements in technology, orthodontics is experiencing a transformative shift, offering more efficient, comfortable, and effective treatments. As we look to the future, several emerging technologies and innovations are set to redefine orthodontic care.

Modern orthodontics not only aims to straighten teeth, but it also aims to provide a holistic approach to oral health, jaw alignment, and improvements in the quality of life for patients of all ages.

As we explore these groundbreaking developments, we will also shed light on how these technologies are making orthodontic care more accessible and customized. Therefore, the scope of this Special Issue includes the integration of interdisciplinary approaches, the use of smart technologies, and the promising future of biodegradable materials and personalized medicine in orthodontics.

Furthermore, 3D printing is a particularly exciting advancement in orthodontics. This technology enables the creation of highly customized orthodontic appliances, including aligners, brackets, and retainers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming orthodontic diagnostics and treatment planning. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to predict treatment outcomes with high accuracy. This allows orthodontists to develop more effective and personalized treatment plans based on the predicted movement of teeth.

AI-powered software can monitor a patient’s progress in real time, ensuring that the treatment is on course. This technology can alert orthodontists to any issues that may require adjustments, allowing for timely interventions and reducing the overall treatment duration.

Clear aligners are becoming more integrated with digital platforms, allowing for the enhanced monitoring of treatment progress. Patients can use apps to monitor the usage and progress of their aligners, while orthodontists can access these data to make informed decisions about the treatment plan.

Smart braces equipped with sensors can monitor the forces applied to teeth and relay this information to the orthodontist. These data enable precise adjustments to be made and ensure that the treatment is progressing as planned. Sensors in orthodontic appliances can also track how often patients wear their aligners or follow other treatment protocols.

The importance of technology in orthodontics extends beyond just operational efficiency; it significantly enhances patient outcomes and provides a more streamlined treatment experience.

The main objective of this Special Issue is to collect original articles that present recent experimental research, clinical procedures and innovations that are redefining orthodontic care.

This list does not exclude other areas of research that are related to orthodontic techniques that are enhancing the experience of patients and treatment outcomes.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. technology in orthodontics
  2. 3D printing in orthodontics
  3. clear aligners
  4. customized orthodontics
  5. Artificial Intelligence in orthodontics

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Nunzio Cirulli
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • orthodontics
  • technology in orthodontics
  • 3D printing in orthodontics
  • clear aligners, customized orthodontics
  • artificial Intelligence in orthodontics
  • biomechanics
  • early treatment
  • miniscrews

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 3450 KiB  
Article
Comparative In Vitro Analysis of Composite Resins Used in Clear Aligner Attachments
by Francesca Gazzani, Denise Bellisario, Chiara Pavoni, Loredana Santo, Paola Cozza and Roberta Lione
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8698; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158698 (registering DOI) - 6 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background: Attachments are essential components in clear aligner therapy, enhancing retention and improving the predictability of tooth movements. Mechanical and wear properties of the composite resins used for attachment reproduction are critical to maintaining their integrity and shape over time. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Background: Attachments are essential components in clear aligner therapy, enhancing retention and improving the predictability of tooth movements. Mechanical and wear properties of the composite resins used for attachment reproduction are critical to maintaining their integrity and shape over time. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and wear performance of the hybrid composite Aligner Connect (AC) and the flowable resin (Connect Flow, CF). Methods: Twenty samples (ten AC and ten CF) were reproduced. All specimens underwent differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), combustion analysis, flat instrumented indentation, compression stress relaxation tests, and tribological analysis. A 3D wear profile reconstruction was performed to assess wear surfaces. Results: DSC and combustion analyses revealed distinct thermal transitions, with CF showing significantly lower Tg values (103.8 °C/81.4 °C) than AC (110.8 °C/89.6 °C) and lower residual mass after combustion (23% vs. 61%), reflecting reduced filler content and greater polymer mobility. AC exhibited superior mechanical properties, with higher maximum load (585.9 ± 22.36 N) and elastic modulus (231.5 ± 9.1 MPa) than CF (290.2 ± 5.52 N; 156 ± 10.5 MPa). Stress relaxation decrease was less pronounced in AC (18 ± 4%) than in CF (20 ± 4%). AC also showed a significantly higher friction coefficient (0.62 ± 0.060) than CF (0.55 ± 0.095), along with greater wear volume (0.012 ± 0.0055 mm3 vs. 0.0070 ± 0.0083 mm3) and maximum depth (36.88 ± 3.642 µm vs. 17.91 ± 3.387 µm). Surface roughness before wear was higher for AC (Ra, 0.577 ± 0.035 µm; Rt, 4.369 ± 0.521 µm) than for CF (Ra, 0.337 ± 0.070 µm; Rt, 2.862 ± 0.549 µm). After wear tests, roughness values converged (Ra, 0.247 ± 0.036 µm for AC; Ra, 0.236 ± 0.019 µm for CF) indicating smoothened and similar surfaces for both composites. Conclusions: The hybrid nanocomposite demonstrated greater properties in terms of stiffness, load-bearing capacity, and structural integrity when compared with flowable resin. Its use may ensure more durable attachment integrity and improved aligner–tooth interface performance over time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Materials and Technologies in Orthodontics)
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