In many cases, patients seeking orthodontic treatment are not primarily motivated by the desire to restore their ability to chew, rather, they are interested in enhancing their dental aesthetics. It has been established that the social and psychological benefits of orthodontic treatments prevail over the ones for oral health1. According to the findings of Jamilian et al., 2016, fixed orthodontic treatments had a negative impact on oral health, but they gradually improved in comparison to the pretreatment status2. Adult patients with incisor flaring, spacing, crowding, infra-, or superpositions respond particularly well to Clear aligner (CA) orthodontics. As a result, (CAs) were launched to the market in response to the increased demand for an aesthetically appealing orthodontic treatment3.
The thermoplastic materials involved in the manufacturing of (CAs) are Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PET-G) and Poly(ester-urethane) (PU), they are translucent and challenging to see with the naked eye4,5. Moreover, (CAs) tend to show discoloration due to various staining agents that have been absorbed during use. However, only a small number of studies addressed the limitation of (CAs) in terms of anticipated discoloration6. When framed within the context of the literature, multiple investigations showed that there is no discernible difference between traditional fixed orthodontics and (CAs) in terms of discomfort, because variable patients may complain more of higher pressure, tension, and sensitivity of their teeth with fixed appliances7. However, the adverse effects and poor reactions with gingival margin have decreased with (CAs), limiting the likelihood of developing periodontal disorders. Furthermore, like any orthodontic appliance, there is compelling evidence that biofilms accumulate on the surfaces of (CAs) and that these biofilms have negative impacts on oral health. In the study by Lombardo, L. et al., while (CAs) are worn, plaque builds up, and a bacterial biofilm develops around the teeth8. Therefore, proper cleaning of removable orthodontic appliances is crucial for maintaining good oral hygiene9. Chemical cleansers were developed to overcome the findings, unlike the other options using a toothbrush and toothpaste, they do not require patient proficiency4. These are mild sanitization solutions that contain sodium bicarbonate, acids, sulfates, chelators, and salts in different concentrations4. These cleansers can efficiently eliminate bacterial biofilms, restore the appliance’s natural translucency, and release a pleasant odor when submerged frequently for a brief length of time4.
Spectrophotometers offer an extremely precise, workable, and flexible system for matching colors and selecting quickly10. It measures a specimen’s spectral transmittance or reflectance curve. Considering that it is also helpful for determining surface color11,12,13. In a spectrophotometer, light is discharged from a light source and then scattered by a prism into a spectrum of various wavelengths ranging from 380 to 780 nm. In terms of accuracy, the VITA Easy-Shade spectrophotometer performed better than the Spectro-shade, Shade Vision, and Shade Scan (Digital Cameras) apparatus.
To the greatest extent of our knowledge, no enough research has been done on the color stability of the CAs that are currently on the market in Riyadh, therefore, one of the main clinical rational for doing the current study is to give the dental community the impact of different beverages on the clear aligners’ discoloration, and, to confirm if the variant cleansing agents would have an adverse staining effect. The purposes of the current study is to investigate the staining potential effects that six commonly daily used beverages have among different orthodontic clear aligners (CAs). Also, to compare the diverse smearing effectiveness of using two variant dental cleansers that are widely popular among healthcare professionals.