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RecruitingNCT07234149Updated Nov 18, 2025

Tooth Discoloration and Chairside Handling Time (Bonding-Debonding) in Flowable Versus Packable Composites for Clear Aligner Bonded Attachments: A Randomized Clinical Trial

An interventional study of flowable nanohybrid Composite Resin and Packable Microhybrid Composite Resin in Clear Aligner Orthodontic Treatment, Composite Attachment and Color Stability of Enamel, sponsored by University of Sulaimani. Recruiting at 2 sites in Iraq. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 40 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-11-18.

Sponsored by University of Sulaimani · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Oct 2025; still recruiting 11 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
20
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 40 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This randomized split-mouth clinical trial aims to compare two different composite materials used for bonding attachments in clear aligner orthodontic therapy. Twenty adult participants with Class I malocclusion and mild crowding will receive flowable nanocomposite attachments on one side of the dental arch and packable microhybrid composite attachments on the opposite side. The primary outcome is the color change (ΔE) of the enamel surface after attachment removal, measured by a spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade). Secondary outcomes include bonding and debonding time and changes in enamel surface roughness before and after treatment. The study will be conducted at the Orthodontic Department, College of Dentistry, University of Sulaimani. The goal is to determine which composite material provides better color stability, easier handling, and minimal impact on enamel surface characteristics during clear aligner therapy.

Read the detailed description

Clear aligner therapy has become a popular alternative to conventional fixed orthodontic appliances due to its superior esthetics and comfort. However, the efficiency of aligner treatment often depends on the proper use of composite attachments that enhance tooth movement and retention. Different composite resins are used for this purpose, but their optical stability and effect on enamel integrity after removal remain concerns.

This prospective, split-mouth randomized clinical trial compares a flowable nanocomposite and a packable microhybrid composite used for clear aligner attachments. Each participant will receive both materials in opposite quadrants to minimize inter-individual variability. Outcomes will include enamel color change (ΔE CIE Lab* values), bonding/debonding time, and surface roughness assessment using digital and optical analysis methods.

The study hypothesis is that the flowable nanocomposite will exhibit superior color stability and faster handling time, with comparable enamel surface effects to the packable composite. Results from this trial may help establish standardized protocols for attachment material selection in clinical orthodontic practice.

02

Conditions studied

  • Clear Aligner Orthodontic Treatment
  • Composite Attachment
  • Color Stability of Enamel

Keywords

  • Composite Attachment Flowable Nanocomposite Packable Microhybrid Composite
03

In context

Lead sponsor

University of Sulaimani is the lead sponsor of 16 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 40 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults 18-40 years.
  • patients with class l malocclusion with in which there treatment will be completed in 6 month .
  • Completed clear aligner therapy and scheduled for attachment debonding at the study clinic.
  • Permanent teeth with intact buccal enamel at assessment sites.
  • No caries, restorations, cracks, fluorosis, or hypoplasia on assessed surfaces.
  • No bleaching within 6 months prior to baseline.
  • Good general health (ASA I-II) and able to provide written informed consent.
  • Satisfactory oral hygiene and gingival health (e.g., GI ≤ 1).
  • Willing and able to complete measurements: spectrophotometric shade (CIE L*, a*, b*), photographs/scans, and VAS for pain/discomfort.
  • Available for all visits and follow-up assessment.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients younger than 18 or older than 40 years.
  • Patients presenting with severe or very severe anterior crowding (LII > 6 mm) or spacing will exclude from the study. Cases with posterior crossbites, open bites, or skeletal discrepancies
  • Presence of systemic diseases (ASA > II) that may affect healing, pain perception, or enamel quality.
  • Teeth with caries, restorations, fractures, enamel cracks, fluorosis, hypoplasia, or discolorations on the buccal surfaces at assessment sites.
  • Patients who have undergone tooth bleaching within the last 6 months.
  • History of major dental surgery or trauma in the study region.
  • Patients with poor oral hygiene or gingival inflammation (GI > 1).
  • Pregnant or lactating women.
  • Patients with allergy or hypersensitivity to composite resins or dental adhesives.
  • Individuals unable to provide informed consent or not willing to comply with study visits.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Crossover assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
20 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    packable microcomposite (Group A)

    Participants will receive packable microcomposite attachments (e.g., GC G-ænial Universal ) on one side of the dental arc attachments on one quadrant of the dental arch for clear aligner therapy. Color change, bonding/debonding time, and enamel roughness will be assessed

    Device: Packable Microhybrid Composite Resin

  • Active comparator
    flowable nanohybrid Composite (Group B)

    Participants will receive flowable nanocomposite (e.g., GC aligner connect ) attachments on the opposite quadrant of the same dental arch.Color change, bonding/debonding time, and enamel roughness will be assessed.

    Device: flowable nanohybrid Composite Resin

Interventions

  • Deviceflowable nanohybrid Composite Resin

    A flowable nanocomposite (e.g., GC aligne connect) used to fabricate clear aligner attachments on enamel surfaces for comparison

    Also known as: packable microhybrid composite

  • DevicePackable Microhybrid Composite Resin

    Packable microhybrid composite resin used to fabricate clear aligner attachments.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Tooth Color (ΔE) After Attachment Removal

    The color change (ΔE) of the enamel surface will be measured using a VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer based on CIE Lab\* values before bonding and after debonding of the attachments. A ΔE value ≥ 3.3 will be considered clinically perceptible.

    Time frame: Baseline (before bonding) and after attachment removal

07

Study locations

1 of 2 sites recruiting
  • Private Orthodontic Clinic - Kirkuk
    Kirkuk, Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq
    Recruiting
  • Private Orthodontic Clinic - Kirkuk
    Kirkuk, Province, Iraq
    Not yet recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Lin S, Huang L, Li J, Wen J, Mei L, Xu H, Zhang L, Li H. Assessment of preparation time and 1-year Invisalign aligner attachment survival using flowable and packable composites. Angle Orthod. 2021 Sep 1;91(5):583-589. doi: 10.2319/063020-598.1. PubMed 33848325 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — ot applicable. Individual participant data will not be shared. Only summarized results will be published.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Nov 18, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07234149
Lead sponsor
University of Sulaimani
Responsible party
Elaf Hussein Hasan (MSc Student in Orthodontics, Ministry of Health, Iraq) — Principal investigator
First posted
Nov 18, 2025
Start date
Oct 15, 2025
Primary completion
Jul 15, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 16, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Nov 18, 2025

Study contacts

Elaf Hussein Hasan H Hasan, BSD
Contact
elafhussein9494@gmail.com
+9647715671612
. Hadi Mohammad M Ismail, PHD
Contact
hadi.ismail@univsul.edu.iq
+9647702106211
Ali I Ibrahim
principal investigator · College of Dentistry, University of Sulaimani.

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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