Over the past decade, the clear aligner market has experienced a boom and rise in popularity. Major aligner companies’ commercial campaigns have contributed to the growing public acceptance and recognition of clear aligners. The enormous revenue generated by invisible orthodontic treatment has fueled competition between clear aligner providers, resulting in the birth of different business models such as OEM, in-office aligners, and DTC aligners, which has inevitably led to products of different price ranges and quality levels.

Clear aligner is indeed convenient and efficient, providing qualified biomaterial, proper regulations and supervision. However, the real problem is that many aligner companies have shifted their focus. Aligners are no longer viewed as an aid to orthodontic treatment, but rather as a means to cut corners. Clear aligners greatly shorten the time for doctors for check-ups. Besides, patients usually appreciate the invisibility and convenience that clear aligners provide, easily attracted by the propaganda delivered by major aligner companies.

For anyone deciding to choose clear aligner for his/her orthodontic treatment, it is essential to be informed of the backstory of the current marketing situation, where clear aligner suppliers should take the responsibility to prioritize patients’ needs and health .

When choosing an clear aligner supplier, there are several factors to consider, and material come the first. The most common materials used to fabricate aligners are polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PeT-G), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). However, it is crucial to ask the following questions:

Has the material been tested and certified as safe by a trustworthy organization?

Does the material have a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure?

Is the development based on real patients’ clinical data and treatment?

Is the manufacturer a research and development enterprise that makes the material based on actual cases and by actual orthodontists?