Clear aligners’ effects on aesthetics: evaluation of facial wrinkles

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the facial aesthetic effects of orthodontic treatment performed with clear aligners and to compare it to an untreated control group, on lower third facial ageing in adult patients through the use of the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) at the beginning (T0) and at the end (T1) of the study period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A clear aligners treated group (TG) of 68 patients was compared to a control group of 33 untreated patients (UG). Each group was divided in 2 subgroups according to age: subgroup 1 if under 40 years of age and subgroup 2 if over. Facial aesthetics of the lower third was evaluated at T0 and T1 by a panel of five aesthetic experts with WSRS. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes were found in all subgroups comparing WSRS scores at T0 and T1. The between group comparisons revealed that wearing clear aligners produces a statistically relevant improvement in lower third facial aesthetics both in younger (p< 0.05) and older (p< 0.001) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present retrospective cohort study has successfully shown that malocclusion therapy conducted through the use of clear aligners in a population of adults affected by dental crowding has beneficial effects on lower third facial ageing. Key words:Orthodontics, clear aligners, facial aesthetics, facial wrinkles, compliance.