Recent progress in and future perspectives on orthodontic materials

Abstract

Multibracket appliance therapy based on edgewise appliances by Dr. E. Angle have evolved in terms of thier base materials, design, and application method over the past 100 years. For orthodontic therapy using multibracket appliances, bracket bonding adhesives and elastic ligutures containing fluoride have been used in order to prevent enamel demineralization, although the actual effects in clinical situations are unknown. In orthodontic practice, the concept of skeletal anchorage using miniscrews and miniplates has been accepted worldwide. Recently, the clear aligners, fabricated by a series of 3D-printed setup models and thermoplastic materials with vacuum forming, have become very popular. Moreover, custom-made orthodontic brackets and wires for individual patients, fabricated by a scanned 3D model and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data, have been developed.