Destaining of Stained Clear Aligners When Subjected to Different Cleaning Techniques: A Comparative In Vitro Analysis

Introduction: Clear aligners are widely used due to superior esthetics; however, staining and loss of transparency remain major clinical concerns. This study evaluated color changes in stained clear aligners after different destaining techniques. Methods: In this in vitro comparative study, 40 new clear aligners were stained using coffee solution and divided into four groups: control, Invisalign cleaning crystals alone, crystals with ultrasonic cleaning, and crystals with motorized brushing. Color change was assessed using VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer, Adobe Photoshop LAB analysis, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data were analysed using ANOVA, Tukey post hoc test, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney U test. Results: All cleaning methods significantly improved aligner clarity compared to control (p < 0.001). The highest destaining efficacy was observed with crystals plus motorized brushing, followed by crystals plus ultrasonic cleaning, and crystals alone. Conclusions: Mechanical brushing combined with chemical cleaning provides superior stain removal. Regular aligner cleaning is essential to maintain esthetics and prevent biofilm accumulation.