SIMULTANEOUS ORTHODONTIC MOVEMENT AND DENTAL BLEACHING USING CLEAR ALIGNERS: A PRISMA-COMPLIANT SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: Clear aligners are widely used for orthodontic treatment, while dental bleaching remains a popular cosmetic procedure. Recently, aligners have been proposed as dual-function devices capable of simultaneously achieving tooth movement and whitening. Objective: To systematically review the literature supporting the hypothesis that clear aligners can serve as effective bleaching trays without compromising orthodontic efficacy. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up 2019 to April 2025. Studies evaluating the use of bleaching agents during clear aligner therapy were included. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. The PRISMA flow diagram, a summary table of characteristics, and a Risk of Bias plot were generated. Results: Fiveeen studies (9 clinical and 5 in vitro) were included. All reported positive whitening effects using 10–11% carbamide peroxide during aligner therapy. No significant adverse effects on tooth movement or aligner integrity were reported. Mild, transient sensitivity was noted in some studies. Risk of bias varied with study type. Conclusion: Current evidence supports the use of clear aligners as effective bleaching trays, enabling simultaneous orthodontic and whitening treatment. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted to optimize protocols and confirm long-term outcomes.