Potential Application of 4D Technology in Fabrication of Orthodontic Aligners

Objectives: To investigate and quantify forces generated by three-dimensional-printed aligners made of shape memory polymers (four-dimensional [4D] aligner).

Methods: Clear X v1.1 material was used in this study. On a custom-made typodont model, correction of maxillary central incisor (tooth 21) malposition by 4D aligners with thicknesses of 0.8 and 1.0 mm was measured by superimposition of subsequent scans. Maximum deflection forces generated by foil sheet specimens were measured at different temperatures in three-point bending (3-PB) tests. In a biomechanical system (orthodontic measurement and simulation system [OMSS]), forces generated on movements of tooth 21 by the 4D aligners were measured at different temperatures.

Results: 4D aligners succeeded to achieve a significant tooth movement (2.5 ± 0.5 mm) on the typodont, with insignificant difference between different thicknesses. In the 3-PB test, the maximum deflection forces measured at 20, 30, 37, 45, and 55°C, were 3.8 ± 1.1, 2.5 ± 0.9, 1.7 ± 0.6, 1.0 ± 0.4, and 0.5 ± 0.4 N, respectively. Forces delivered on palatal displacement of tooth 21 at 37, 45, and 55°C by 0.8-mm aligners were 0.3 ± 0.1, 0.2 ± 0.1, and 0.7 ± 0.2 N, respectively, whereas those by 1.0-mm aligners were 0.3 ± 0.1, 0.3 ± 0.1, and 0.6 ± 0.2 N, respectively. A good concordance with movement on the typodont model was shown in OMSS.

Conclusion: An initial study of 4D-printed aligner shows its ability to move a tooth by biocompatible orthodontic forces, after a suitable thermal stimulus within the oral temperature range.

Highlights

• Rate-limiting staging of conventional aligners consumes time and materials.

• Orthodontic aligners can be made of different polymers.

• Four-dimensional (4D) technology is a three-dimensional printing of polymeric shape memory material.

• Introduction of 4D technology in the field of orthodontic aligners is highly innovative.

• 4D aligners can move teeth by biocompatible forces.

Introduction

Aesthetics is one of the major demands of patients who seek dental treatment. Major problems facing patients of orthodontic treatment are the bad appearance of metallic orthodontic braces, keeping good oral hygiene, and the long treatment time (Elshazly et al., 2021). In the last decade, treatment by orthodontic aligners has shown growing interest (Ercoli et al., 2014; Ojima and Kau, 2017). The aligners gain great superiority in aesthetic, comfort, and oral hygiene, over fixed braces, even the ceramic and lingual ones, owing to the fact that they are clear and almost invisible, as well as the ability to remove them during eating, brushing, and flossing (Mehta and Mehta, 2014). Additionally, with clear aligners, treatment time and chair time are reduced in nonextraction cases, sometimes by more than the half, compared with fixed braces (Tamer et al., 2019).

Conventional aligners are made from different types of polymers (Ercoli et al., 2014), such as polyvinyl material, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate glycol (Thukral and Gupta, 2015), polypropylene, polyester, and polyurethane (Momtaz, 2016). The functioning principle of such appliances is based on limited movement of each tooth through a programmed deviation between the real tooth position and a setup position. The programmed geometry of the aligner’s stent then defines the new tooth position and the amount of movement to be performed (Boyd and Waskalic, 2001). In most of the popular aligner systems in the market, each aligner is designed to move a tooth within the restriction of 0.2 to 0.3 mm for translations and 1° to 3° for rotations, for that it is worn approximately 14 days, and then it should be changed with its successor (Kwon et al., 2008; Thukral and Gupta, 2015; Elkholy et al., 2016). This stepwise staging of conventional aligners leads to time and material consumption and consequently high cost of the treatment (Martorelli et al., 2013; Ercoli et al., 2014; Elshazly et al., 2021).

With the introduction of the technology of digital scanning, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and CAD-CAM, the orthodontic aligner became more precise. Nonetheless, investigators are continuously working on improving the efficiency of the treatment. Many optimizations, innovations, and advances are aiming to facilitate the process and to reduce the time and the cost (Phan and Ling, 2007; Morton et al., 2017; Elshazly et al., 2021). Several researchers are focusing on two main drawbacks: the shortcomings of conventional materials and the biological consideration of tooth movement. Numerous methods have been introduced to biologically accelerate tooth movement (Ojima and Kau, 2017). On the other side, introduction of new aligner material also draws attention (Silverman and Cohen, 1969; Choi and Kim, 2005; Lai and Rule, 2020; Elshazly et al., 2021).

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are one of the novel materials to be recently introduced into the field of dentistry, particularly for orthodontic applications (Mahmood et al., 2019; Elshazly et al., 2021). They provide great potential for applications in medical materials (Lendlein and Langer, 2002; Zhang et al., 2009; Meng and Li, 2013). In a study by Jung et al. (Jung and Cho, 2010) and another by Nakasima et al. (1991), SMPs were used in fabrication of orthodontic wires. Choi and Kim (2005) registered a patent about a tray-type appliance made of SMPs used for teeth alignment. Also, Lai and Rule (2020) registered another patent about an orthodontic appliance having a continuous shape memory recovery. Through this shape memory property, it can store a large number of geometries throughout the orthodontic treatment. Recently, Elshazly et al. (2021) reported a new orthodontic aligner system based on thermoresponsive shape memory polyurethane-based thermoplastic material, showing the ability of one aligner to recover its shape through three steps of material treatment and consequently conduct stepwise tooth movement in a way that one aligner may be able to replace three subsequent conventional aligners. Despite the mentioned reports, yet, there is lack of data in literature about the application of SMPs in the field of orthodontic aligners.

The technology of four-dimensional printing (4D printing) is based on the 3D printing of shape memory materials. Clearly, 4D-printed parts have the ability to change shape with time (the fourth dimension), upon given environment conditions (Pei et al., 2020). With the continuous development of SMPs, new 4D printing applications within the product design industry are expected to grow (Nam and Pei, 2020). We proposed in our scientific project to introduce the 4D technology in the fabrication of orthodontic aligners.

In this study, on a custom-made typodont model, correction of malposition of tooth 21 by 4D-printed aligners with thicknesses of 0.8 and 1.0 mm was measured by superimposition of obtained and initial scans. Also, forces generated on 2-mm vertical three-point bending (3-PB) tests were measured at different temperatures. Additionally, forces and movements delivered by the 4D aligners were quantified using an orthodontic measurement and simulation system (OMSS).

Materials and Methods

Typodont

A custom-made typodont model was fabricated from resin (Technovit 4004; Kulzer, Wehrheim, Germany) and acrylic teeth (Frasaco, Tetnang, Germany). The upper left central incisor (tooth 21) was separated and kept movable by being embedded in pink wax placed in the model, while the other teeth were fixed by the resin (Figure 1). The fully aligned model was scanned (scan 0) using a 3D lab scanner (D2000; 3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark). The model was segmented using an Ortho System software (Ortho Analyzer; 3Shape). Using the appliance designer software (Appliance Designer; 3Shape), two groups of aligners were designed with thicknesses of 0.8 and 1.0 mm and an offset of 0.2 mm, on the fully aligned model. The aligner geometries were then sent for 3D printing, six aligners per each group (n = 6). ClearX v.1.1 3D-printed material (Kline-Europe, Dusseldorf, Germany) was used, reported by the suppliers to have shape memory properties. Afterward, tooth 21 was moved palatally in the software model with a total malalignment of 3 mm. The malaligned model was exported as an STL file and was 3D printed using a 3D-printable resin (Dentona Optiprint model; Dentona AG, Dortmund, Germany). A 3D printer (Asiga Max; SCHEU-DENTAL GmbH, Iserlohn, Germany) was used for the previous printing steps, with 62-µm high-definition print precision.

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1. A custom-made typodont (T), a 4D-printed aligner (A), and a gray splint (S).

Three gray splints of thickness 3.0 mm (Figure 1) were designed over the malaligned model and were 3D printed (Form 3BL Basic Package; Formlabs, Somerville, MA, USA) using a resin material (Grey Resin 1 L; Formlabs). The first splint was produced over the malaligned model. It was used as an “index” to reposition the typodont (tooth 21) to the exact same malaligned position during testing. The second and third splints were produced over the 3D aligners, one for each different thickness. They were used for reforming and adaptation of the softened aligners to the malaligned models before testing.

The adaptation process was done by immersing the aligner in a hot water bath of 80°C for 30 s to ensure exceeding the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material, reported by the supplier to be at 30°C, and to ensure enough softening of the material. The aligner was then adapted on the malaligned model by the aid of the corresponding adaptor splint. They were then let together to cool down in a cold water bath of 5°C so that the aligner can maintain its new malaligned shape (malaligned aligner).

The wax around tooth 21 of the typodont model was softened, and the index splint was used to reposition tooth 21 in the typodont model at 3-mm malposition. The typodont was then placed in a 5°C water bath for 10 min to ensure that the wax was no longer soft and could withstand aligner placement without getting distorted. The malaligned typodont model was then scanned (scan 1). Afterward, the malaligned aligner was placed on the malaligned typodont, and both were immersed together for 5 min in a hot water bath of 55°C, which is the activation temperature recommended by the supplier. This initiated the shape memory recovery of the aligner and softened the wax around tooth 21 in the typodont to allow the correction movement of the tooth to happen by the memory recovery of the SMP aligner. Subsequently, they were taken out from the hot water bath and put back in a cold water bath (5°C), so that the wax could get hard at the new position before removing the aligner to avoid distortion. The typodont model was then scanned again (scan 2). Scan 2 was superimposed with scan 1, and the correction was measured by the Ortho Analyzer software (Figure 2). The test was repeated six times for each group (0.8 and 1.0 mm), each time new wax and new aligner were used. Using this test, the aligner shape recovery was recorded visually. A schematic diagram illustrating the main steps of ClearX 4D aligner method was added (Figure 3).

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2. Superimposition of the typodont scans before and after testing of the 4D aligner, scan 1 (before, green) and scan 2 (after, orange).

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 3. A schematic diagram illustrating the main steps of the ClearX 4D aligner method.

3-PB Test

The experimental investigation of the force systems generated was performed by a custom-made biomechanical system (OMSS; Drescher et al., 1991) at the University Hospital Bonn in Germany. Six 3D-printed specimens of the 4D ClearX v.1.1 material were produced in dimensions (50 × 10 × 1.0 mm³) and mounted in the biomechanical testing machine (OMSS, Figure 4) to perform a 2-mm vertical 3-PB tests under standardized conditions at a rate of 5 mm per minute and at different temperatures of 20°C, 30°C, 35°C, 37°C, 40°C, and 50°C. The force/deflection curves were recorded, and the maximum generated force was determined. Each cycle was repeated two times with the same specimen.

FIGURE 4

FIGURE 4. Three-point bending test of a 4D-printed specimen using the orthodontic measurement and simulation system (OMSS) at different temperatures.

Experimental Simulation of Tooth Movement

The typodont without the movable tooth 21 was duplicated using Technovit 4004, and tooth 21 was separated. The resin replica was mounted into OMSS (Figure 5). In several articles (Drescher et al., 1991; Simon et al., 2014a), more details of the technical specifications and the software running the experiments of OMSS can be found. The OMSS device consists of sensors that can be used for measuring force and moment vectors in three dimensions (x, y, and z). Sensors are mounted on a 6-axes motor-driven positioning table, which is able to perform full 3D movements. To describe tooth movements in all three spatial dimensions, a coordinate system was set up. The positive x axis (+X) describes extrusive and the negative x axis (−X) describes intrusive movements and forces, parallel to the long axis of the tooth. Horizontal forces and movements are described on the y axis and the z axis, where +Z represented the facial movement and force, −Z represented lingual movement and force, +Y represented distal movement and force, and −Y represented mesial movement and force.

FIGURE 5

FIGURE 5. Orthodontic measurement and simulation system (OMSS): a resin replica with a 4D-printed aligner is mounted in the system. Tooth 21 to be analyzed was connected to a computer-controlled 3D sensor. The measured moments and forces are registered, and the motor-driven positioning table simulates the analyzed tooth movement.

The separated tooth 21 was connected to a sensor. Adjustments were made with the index splint so that tooth 21 was passively set in its 3-mm lingual malposition in respect to the other teeth of the resin replica. The whole apparatus was enclosed in a temperature-controlled chamber in order to run the test at different temperatures. Six new aligners for each group of two thicknesses (0.8 and 1.0 mm) were 3D printed on the aligned model. Each aligner was reformed on the malaligned position as described previously at the typodont experiment. The malaligned aligner was mounted on the resin replica, in a way that almost no active forces (zero forces) were transferred to the tooth, whereas the thermal chamber of OMSS is at room temperature (20°C, below Tg). The temperature of the chamber was increased to 37°C, 45°C, and 55°C. By means of continuous measurements of the force systems and simulation of the resulting movement of tooth 21, the force progression generated by an aligner was measured, and the experimentally resulting tooth movement was calculated. For tooth movements in the three dimensions, the measurements were terminated when forces decayed below 0.02 N.

Statistical Analysis

Independent t test was used to compare movement of the typodont tooth with different thicknesses of the aligner. Two-way analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni correction was used to study the effect of different tested variables (temperature and thickness of the aligner) and their interaction on force and translation. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05 within all tests. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 for Windows (IBM Company, Endicott, NY, USA).

Results

On the typodont, 4D-printed aligners succeeded to achieve a significant tooth movement (2.5 ± 0.5 mm), with insignificant difference between the different thicknesses (Figure 2 and Table 2). In 3-PB test, the maximum forces measured at 20°C, 30°C, 37°C, 45°C, and 55°C were 3.8 ± 1.1, 2.5 ± 0.9, 1.7 ± 0.6, 1.0 ± 0.4, and 0.5 ± 0.4 N, respectively (Figure 6).

TABLE 2

TABLE 2. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) of translation of upper central incisor (tooth 21) by 4D-printed aligners of two thicknesses

FIGURE 6

FIGURE 6. Bar chart showing the mean maximum force generated on a 2-mm vertical three-point bending testing of 3D-printed specimens of ClearX v.1.1 shape memory material at different temperatures.

In OMSS simulations, the forces delivered on palatal displacement of tooth 21 at 37°C, 45°C, and 55°C by 0.8-mm aligners were 0.3 ± 0.1, 0.2 ± 0.1, and 0.7 ± 0.2 N, respectively, whereas those by 1.0-mm aligners were 0.3 ± 0.1, 0.3 ± 0.1, and 0.6 ± 0.2 N, respectively (Figure 7 and Table 1). Varying degrees of temperature had a significant effect on the force, whereas the thickness of the aligner along with its interaction with temperature had no significant effect. Pairwise comparison showed that aligner subjected to 55°C conducted a significantly higher force than those subjected to 37°C and 45°C. A good concordance with movement of tooth 21 in the typodont experiment could be shown in OMSS with insignificant difference between them (Table 2). At 55°C, there was a higher significant translation by 1.0-mm aligner than the 0.8-mm one (Tables 1 and 2).

FIGURE 7

FIGURE 7. Bar chart showing forces generated by 4D-printed aligners of two different thicknesses; measurement was done at different temperatures in a custom-made biomechanical system (OMSS).

TABLE 1

TABLE 1. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) of translation and forces conducted on upper central incisor (tooth 21) by 4D-printed aligners of two thicknesses

Discussion

Although orthodontic aligners have been studied in several aspects and great progress was done in orthodontic treatment by aligners (Bowman, 2017), practitioners still report some drawbacks to aligner use. On the top of these drawbacks are the limited movement achieved by each single aligner, which leads to use of changing regime through a large series of aligners per treatment (Simon et al., 2014b; Elshazly et al., 2021). Therefore, we believe that if a method could be applied to decrease the number of the aligners per treatment, together with a method to accelerate the biological movement of the teeth, that would be a quantum leap in the field of orthodontics.

The introduction of new aligner materials draws the attention of many researchers. Some of them introduced smart materials, particularly SMPs (Silverman and Cohen, 1969; Choi and Kim, 2005; Lai and Rule, 2020; Elshazly et al., 2021). The idea of clear aligners made of SMPs is aiming to reduce the cost and time of the treatment by using a dynamic aligner that can change its shape intentionally over treatment time, and consequently one shape memory aligner could substitute a series of conventional aligners and overcome the stepwise system. Furthermore, it helps to decrease the plastic consumption by decreasing the number of plastic aligners per treatment plan and thus raise concerns about the ethical responsibility toward the environment (Elshazly et al., 2021). Despite many tryouts mentioned before (Choi and Kim, 2005; Jung and Cho, 2010; Lai and Rule, 2020; Elshazly et al., 2021), still there is a great lack of data in the literature about clear aligners made from SMPs. So far, it is difficult, biomechanical-wise and biocompatibility-wise, to favor an appropriate material.

Thermoresponsive SMPs are a subcategory of smart polymers, which have a novel capacity, to recover their original shape after being deformed, upon specific thermal initiation (Zhang et al., 2009; Meng and Li, 2013). At the molecular level, polymer network-based SMPs consist of at least two different segments, hard and soft, with two different glass transition temperatures (Tg) (Lendlein and Langer, 2002). Shape memory mechanism is attributed to the cooperation of the hard and the soft segments. Phase separation is essential in this mechanism. The separation occurs only above a threshold temperature (transition temperature); prior to it, no phase separation occurs. Soft segments act as a switch (matrix phase) responsible for shape changing, and hard segments act as cross-links responsible for preserving the original shape (Lendlein and Kelch, 2002; Behl and Lendlein, 2007; Zhang et al., 2009). Many of SMPs have a Tg near the body temperature; thus, the body temperature could act as an initiator for shape memory change (Gorna and Gogolewski, 2003). Moreover, many SMPs have the advantage of possessing several inherent properties, such as transparency, low density, and reduced cost (Jung and Cho, 2010). In addition, the shape recovery of some SMPs could last up to approximately 3 months, which might be suitable for orthodontic applications (Small et al., 2010). These advantages may qualify them to be introduced in the fabrication of orthodontic appliances for treatment of initial alignment and leveling of aesthetically concerned patients (Nakasima et al., 1991), as well as the correction of malaligned and severely rotated teeth (Mahmood et al., 2019).

On planning of an orthodontic treatment with an aligner system, it is important to make a biomechanical analysis of the used material and the appliance and know the exact distribution of the forces and moments. The flexure modulus is a mechanical property that relates stress to strain in flexural deformation, and it is an indicator of the material’s tendency to resist bending. The developed force is directly proportional to the flexure modulus and to the third order of the thickness in bending direction (Zweben et al., 1979). In orthodontic appliances such as aligners, it is an indicator of the effectiveness for tooth movement (Ryu et al., 2018). The 3-PB test is a method used to determine the flexure modulus and the maximum force delivered upon deflection (Kwon et al., 2008; Min et al., 2010). Additionally, to know the exact force systems of the aligner in all three planes of space, an OMSS was used (Drescher et al., 1991; Bourauel et al., 1992). Moreover, based on the force system, the control program of OMSS calculated the developed tooth movement by using a mathematical model, taking into consideration the center of resistance of the measured tooth (Pedersen et al., 1990).

Optimal force delivery is a must for an ideal orthodontic treatment, in order to achieve a maximum rate of tooth movement without causing irreversible damage to the biological tissues (Kwon et al., 2008). A light continuous force is required for ideal tooth movement. In case of excessive force to a target tooth, indirect bone resorption can occur; accordingly, the speed of tooth movement will be slower, or root resorption may occur. On the contrary, if sufficient force is not delivered to a target tooth, tooth movement will not be obtained (Proffit et al., 2000). Consequently, optimal forces are important for ideal tooth movement. For instance, the optimal forces for tipping movement of a single tooth were reported to be from 0.50 to 0.75 N, for rotation control are 1.00–1.50 N, for torque control are 0.75–1.25 N, and for bodily movement are 0.75–1.25 N (Proffit et al., 2000; Kwon et al., 2008). In conventional aligner systems, the force delivery to a target tooth is generated by the tendency of the plastic material through its resiliency to return to its resting state instead of being deformed 0.25–0.33 mm in some systems (Simon et al., 2014a) or 0.50–1.00 mm in other systems (Sheridan et al., 1993). However, in the 4D-printed aligner system, the aligners are made of SMPs, and the force delivery is obtained from the shape recovery of the material upon appropriate stimulations (Elshazly et al., 2021). Additionally, the 3D printing of the material gives advantage of avoiding the significant decrease of mechanical properties after deep drawing of thermoformed material (Ryu et al., 2018).

The technology of 4D printing is based on the 3D printing of SMPs. In our study, a 3D-printable material (ClearX v.1.1), reported by the supplier to possess thermoresponsive shape memory properties, was used in fabrication of orthodontic clear aligners (4D aligner). A typodont model was used in the study as an initial proof of the movement of the tooth, similar to many other reports (Ishida et al., 2020; Elshazly et al., 2021; Ho et al., 2021). A simple orthodontic case was used in the study, where only a bodily movement of one tooth (maxillary upper incisor, tooth 21) was tested, whereas the other teeth remained fixed in the resin and were used to provide retention to the whole aligner. The maximum forces generated on 2-mm deflection at different temperatures were measured. Furthermore, the forces generated from shape recovery, which should be responsible for the tooth movement, were measured by a custom-made biomechanical system (OMSS).

The results show success of the shape memory aligner to achieve a significant movement of tooth 21 on the typodont, and a congruent movement was also measured in OMSS. The targeted alignment movement (3.00 mm) was not reached; only 2.06–2.82 mm was achieved, which could be referred to the resistance of the wax (in typodont test) and the rigidity of the sensor (in OMSS), in front of the low forces generated by the shape recovery. Nevertheless, the results are satisfactory, and the achieved movement by one shape memory aligner equals nearly the movement that could be achieved by 10 conventional aligners.

In the current study, the force delivery upon deflection of the aligner by bodily movement of tooth 21 for 2 mm needed to be simulated; therefore, the span length in the 3-PB test (distance between the two supports) was set at 24 mm, which was equal to the sum of the average widths of the two maxillary central incisors and one lateral incisor, and the specimen was deflected vertically at its center to a maximum of 2 mm (Kwon et al., 2008). The results of our study (Figure 7) show that the range of maximum force delivered on a 2-mm deflection at temperatures from 37°C to 55°C (the activation temperature range of the material) with sheet thickness of 1 mm ranged from 1.20 to 0.50 N. This is located within the acceptable range of orthodontic forces, and it is in the same range of forces generated by conventional aligners upon deflections of 0.20–0.50 mm (Proffit et al., 2000; Kwon et al., 2008). The results show also that the maximum forces are decreasing with increasing the temperature, which can be explained by the fact that the heat in such thermoplastic material leads to a type of softening through debonding of the secondary bonds of the cross-links of the material and therefore weakens the material.

The generated forces at different temperatures (37°C, 45°C, 55°C) measured by OMSS (0.30–0.70 N) are also in the range of acceptable physiological orthodontic forces reported by many studies (Hahn et al., 2010; Simon et al., 2014a; Elkholy et al., 2016; Elkholy et al., 2017; Iliadi et al., 2019). Moreover, these findings are supported by a study by Nakasima et al. (1991), in which it was reported that SMPs are able, at properly controlled oral conditions, to produce light long-lasting forces. They used a stretched orthodontic wire of polynorbornene, a type of SMP, and showed that it could reverse gradually to its original shape upon heating at a temperature of 50°C and generate forces in the physiological range, which could be used to move a human tooth.

In our study, the forces generated at 50°C were higher than the forces generated at 37°C, yet in the accepted range. Interestingly, there was a reduction of forces at 45°C in comparison to the forces at 37°C and 55°C. Explanation of such situation, especially in a viscoelastic material such as the tested material, may need further investigation of the material, such as dynamic thermomechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, in order to get a more clear picture of the phase transition at different temperatures.

Contradicting with previous studies (Kwon et al., 2008; Hahn et al., 2009; Min et al., 2010; Ryu et al., 2018), the current study reported that using thicker aligners has no significant effect on the generated force, except at 55°C in the OMSS. That could be due to inaccuracy of the 3D printing in a way that the aligner thickness is not homogenous, thicker in parts and thinner in others. However, the findings are, from other prospective, generally in agreement with Nam and Pei (2020), who revealed that the shape memory effect of 4D-printed parts is mostly influenced by the recovery temperature and the deformation temperature.

This study still has many limitations. We measured forces for an isolated experimental movement of a single tooth, which is a simplified model that cannot reflect the more complex clinical cases, in which several teeth are included in the treatment plan. Also, we did not fully consider the intraoral conditions such as salivation and humidity, especially that some polymers are sensitive to moisture due to presence of hydrogen bonding between the polymeric chains (Yen et al., 1991; McKiernan et al., 2002). Additionally, the OMSS enables both measurements of the forces of the initial situation and the dynamic force progression during tooth movement; however, in the setup of the present study, sensor and tooth were connected rigidly, with the limitation of simulation of some clinical parameters such as periodontal ligament (PDL), mastication, as well as soft-tissue reactions (Bourauel et al., 1992). Besides, OMSS is based on the hypothesis that there is a linear relationship between the speed of tooth movement and the amount of applied force, which could not really simulate the biomechanical behavior of PDL. Moreover, an ideal center of resistance was used for each tooth (Simon et al., 2014a).

Further studies on the mechanical and physical properties of the used SMP materials should be performed. More clinically oriented simulated models for the force delivery by SMP materials should be developed. Moreover, it is still a challenge to introduce a clinically applicable technique to use the shape memory aligners.

Conclusion

Initial investigation of a 3D-printed aligner made of SMPs (4D aligner) shows its capability of moving teeth by biocompatible orthodontic forces after a suitable thermal stimulus within the oral temperature range.

Data Availability Statement

The raw data supporting the conclusion of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization: TE. Data curation, analysis, investigation, and methodology: TE and YA. Resources: TE, CB, MA, and AG. Software: TE, CB, and LK. Supervision, validation and visualization: CB, AG, MA, WT, and ST. Writing—original draft: TE. Writing—review and editing: TE, YA, and CB. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by a grant (MBRU-AlMahmeed Collaborative Research Award 2019) from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Project No: ALM 1931.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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