Orthodontics in the Digital Era: Clear Aligner Therapy, Accelerated Tooth Movement, and Digital Treatment Planning

This chapter reviews the evolution and current state of clear aligner therapy, critically assessing the clinical evidence on its efficacy, limitations, and patient-related outcomes in comparison to fixed appliance systems across a spectrum of malocclusion types. It examines advances in digital orthodontic planning, including three-dimensional imaging integration, virtual set-up technologies, and computer-aided biomechanical simulation. Emerging modalities for accelerating orthodontic tooth movement — including photobiomodulation, micro-osteoperforations, and vibration devices — are also evaluated in terms of their biological mechanisms and clinical utility.