Advanced orthodontic materials: From current clinical strategies to emerging applications

TY - JOUR

T1 - Advanced orthodontic materials

T2 - From current clinical strategies to emerging applications

AU - Zhang, Jiaxi

AU - Sun, Tingting

AU - Jiang, Jiasheng

AU - Rong, Hongpan

AU - Huang, Gaoshan

AU - Zhao, Zhe

AU - Liu, Xuanyong

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2026. Published by Tsinghua University Press.

PY - 2026/4

Y1 - 2026/4

N2 - Progress in biomedicine has long been driven by materials innovation, an impetus now profoundly reshaping the field of orthodontics. The discipline has undergone a pivotal evolution: where early efforts primarily targeted mechanical performance and aesthetic enhancement, the contemporary focus has shifted toward intelligent, multifunctional materials that seamlessly integrate diagnosis with therapeutic intervention. Today, propelled by breakthroughs in microelectronics, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence, orthodontic materials are being fundamentally re-engineered. They are no longer passive corrective appliances but have evolved into core components of interactive biomedical platforms. These advanced systems are designed not only to achieve precise tooth movement but also to enable real-time monitoring of intraoral forces, biofilm activity, and even systemic health biomarkers. Along this review,we trace the progression from material (including alloys, polymers, ceramic materials) and manufacturing advances to the integration of smart sensing, responsive coatings, and artificial intelligence. Representative examples illustrate the synergistic integration of materials, processing strategies, and intelligent systems, facilitating the evolution of orthodontics toward personalized and intelligent care. Finally, we summarize the current research status and outline prospective directions, foreseeing an intelligent, minimally invasive, and fully personalized paradigm for orthodontic treatment.

AB - Progress in biomedicine has long been driven by materials innovation, an impetus now profoundly reshaping the field of orthodontics. The discipline has undergone a pivotal evolution: where early efforts primarily targeted mechanical performance and aesthetic enhancement, the contemporary focus has shifted toward intelligent, multifunctional materials that seamlessly integrate diagnosis with therapeutic intervention. Today, propelled by breakthroughs in microelectronics, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence, orthodontic materials are being fundamentally re-engineered. They are no longer passive corrective appliances but have evolved into core components of interactive biomedical platforms. These advanced systems are designed not only to achieve precise tooth movement but also to enable real-time monitoring of intraoral forces, biofilm activity, and even systemic health biomarkers. Along this review,we trace the progression from material (including alloys, polymers, ceramic materials) and manufacturing advances to the integration of smart sensing, responsive coatings, and artificial intelligence. Representative examples illustrate the synergistic integration of materials, processing strategies, and intelligent systems, facilitating the evolution of orthodontics toward personalized and intelligent care. Finally, we summarize the current research status and outline prospective directions, foreseeing an intelligent, minimally invasive, and fully personalized paradigm for orthodontic treatment.

KW - biomedical materials

KW - intelligent orthodontics

KW - orthodontic materials

KW - surface treatment

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105036657572

U2 - 10.26599/NR.2026.94908339

DO - 10.26599/NR.2026.94908339

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:105036657572

SN - 1998-0124

VL - 19

JO - Nano Research

JF - Nano Research

IS - 4

M1 - 94908339

ER -