Authors : Tanmayee Aniruddha Pendse, Rajaganesh Gautam*, Sonali V Deshmukh, Jayesh Rahalkar, Sachin Durkar
DOI : 10.18231/j.jco.2025.024
Volume : 9
Issue : 2
Year : 2025
Page No : 177-182
Background: Recent innovations in clear aligner materials have resulted in enhanced flexibility and resistance to staining through multilayer and multiphasic designs. Integrating digital technologies such as intraoral scanning, tooth movement planning software, and 3D printing has significantly streamlined the workflow for clear aligners. These aligners are designed to be worn for over 20 hours daily, necessitating high biocompatibility from the materials used. While these materials undergo rigorous cytotoxicity testing, there are conflicting findings regarding their cytotoxic assessment. Materials and Methods: This in vitro study investigated the cytotoxic effects of four different clear aligner materials - TAC-Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G), Flash-Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Taglus Premium-Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Invisalign-SmartTrack (multi-layer aromatic thermoplastic polyurethane) - on gingival mesenchymal stem cells. The preformed clear aligners were applied in a powdered form to the cells, which were subsequently harvested at three time points (TP1, TP2, and TP3) and assessed for cytotoxicity using the MTT assay [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide]. Results: Colorimetric MTT assay was used to estimate the number of active and viable cells. Every sample was tested at three different time frames against the control. The most amount of cell growth was seen on TAC aligner material with P = 0.06776 followed by Invisalign (P = 0.23559), Flash (P = 0.35465), and Taglus (P = 0.52129). However, none was statistically significant. In Conclusion: All materials for clear aligners showed no cytotoxicity under the experimental conditions. Keywords: Orthodontics, Clear aligners, Clear aligner cytotoxicity, MTT assay, Invitro cytotoxicity, Bisphenol A, Bisphenol A release, BPA toxicity, Invisalign, TAC, Flash, Taglus, Mesenchymal cells, mesenchymal stem cells, stem cells, human, gingival cells, gingival fibroblasts, human gingival mesenchymal stem cells, invitro