In-office direct printing of aligners has become a viable therapeutic possibility for orthodontists. The specific mechanical properties of the resin used for direct printing of aligners, as well as the production process, allow the creation of transparent, elastic, biocompatible, and shape-memory aligners that can be used in orthodontic patients. Unlike the traditional production of thermoformed aligners, the use of direct printed aligners offers the possibility to modify every geometric aspect of the final device. Once the setup for the patient is created, a virtual design of the aligner can be obtained and modified to make it more suitable for the individual patient's needs: the thickness of the shell, the gingival finishing line, and auxiliaries can all be adjusted. This virtual design is then transferred directly to the 3D printer. After the printing of the device, the process is completed with several steps that give the aligner its final mechanical and aesthetic properties. Direct Aligners can very useful to treat mild to moderate crowding case, relapse, hybrid treatment and achieve several orthodontic corrections. The properties of the material, as well as the ability to customize the aligner's geometry, make it suitable for improving orthodontic movements and reducing the undesirable effects of traditional aligners.


Learning Objectives
After this lecture, you will be able to define the properties of the resin for in-office direct printed aligners.
After this lecture, you will be able to demonstrate the manufacturing workflow, indicating the possibility to customize the design of the aligner shell.
After this lecture, you will be able to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of using direct printed aligners by showing clinical examples and digital planning.