Orthodontically induced external apical root resorption in patients treated with fixed appliances vs removable aligners

Objective:To determine whether orthodontic treatment with removable aligners vs fixed orthodontic appliances is associated with a different frequency of orthodontically induced external apical root resorption (OIEARR) when genetic, radiographic, and clinical factors are accounted for.Materials and Methods:Three hundred seventy-two orthodontic patients treated with removable aligners (Invisalign) or fixed appliances were genetically screened for interleukin 1B gene (IL1B) (rs1143634), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene (IL1RN) (rs419598), and osteopontin gene (SPP1) (rs9138/rs11730582). Twelve clinical variables, potentially associated with OIEARR, were also considered. Subjects were divided according to the presence of radiographically determined OIEARR (>2 mm). The association between OIEARR and appliance type, and radiographic, clinical and genetic factors, was assessed using backward stepwise conditional logistic regression. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.Results:Reliability of the methods was adequate. Clinical case complexity (American Board of Orthodontics [ABO] Discrepancy Index) (OR: 1.032; 95% CI: 1.005–1.061; P = .021) and extent of incisor apical displacement in the sagittal plane (OR: 1.478; 95% CI: 1.285–1.699; P = .001) were associated with an increased OIEARR risk. After adjusting for associations between clinical/radiographic/genetic factors, there were no statistically significant differences with respect to OIEARR or type of orthodontic appliance used, whether removable aligners or fixed appliances (OR: 1.662; 95% CI: 0.945–2.924; P = .078). Only subjects homozygous for the T allele of IL1RN (rs419598) were more prone to OIEARR during orthodontic treatment (OR: 3.121; CI: 1.93–5.03; P < .001).Conclusions:A similar OIEARR predisposition was identified using either removable aligners (Invisalign) or fixed appliances.