Effects of overtreatment with different attachment positions on maxillary anchorage enhancement with clear aligners: a finite element analysis study

Abstract

Abstract Background The effect of attachment positions on anchorage has not been fully explored. The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of overtreatment with different anchorage positions on maxillary anchorage enhancement with clear aligners in extraction cases. Methods Models of the maxilla and maxillary dentition were constructed and imported into SOLIDWORKS software to create periodontal ligament (PDL), clear aligners, and attachments. Attachment positions on second premolars included: without attachment (WOA), buccal attachment (BA), and bucco-palatal attachment (BPA). Overtreatment degrees were divided into five groups (0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°) and added on the second premolars. The calculation and analysis of the displacement trends and stress were performed using ANSYS software. Results Distal tipping and extrusion of the canines, and mesial tipping and intrusion of the posterior teeth occurred during retraction. A strong anchorage was achieved in cases of overtreatment of 2.8° with BA and 2.4° with BPA. Moreover, the BPA showed the best in achieving bodily control of the second premolars. When the overtreatment was performed, the canines and first molars also showed reduced tipping trends with second premolars attachments. And the stress on the PDL and the alveolar bone was significantly relieved and more evenly distributed in the BPA group. Conclusions Overtreatment is an effective means for anchorage enhancement. However, the biomechanical effect of overtreatment differs across attachment positions. The BPA design performs at its best for stronger overtreatment effects with fewer adverse effects.