CA Pro Foil: Innovation in Orthodontics

What is CA Pro — and why does the material matter?

Clear dental trays, called aligners, move teeth not through wires and brackets, but through the material itself: The ultra-thin plastic tray is shaped slightly differently from the current tooth position and thereby exerts gentle, continuous pressure. How well a treatment works therefore depends substantially on what the tray is made of. This is precisely where CA Pro comes in — a novel aligner film from the manufacturer Scheu Dental, introduced in this specialist publication and tested in two treatment cases.

Conventional aligners are typically made from a single plastic layer (PET-G) or multilayered polyurethane. Their typical behavior: They exert a high force initially, which, however, decreases sharply within a few hours.1 For patients, the high initial force often means an uncomfortable pressure sensation, and the rapidly declining force can make tooth movement less uniform. An ideal aligner material would therefore have a lower initial force that remains constant over a longer period.

The structure: three layers instead of one

CA Pro is constructed as a three-layer composite film (technical term: ABA film). On the outside are two hard layers of abrasion-resistant copolyester, with a soft layer of thermoplastic elastomer in the middle. This “hard-soft-hard” structure combines two properties that otherwise contradict each other: The hard outer layers provide stability and shape retention, while the soft core layer provides elasticity and uniform force delivery. The film is available in thicknesses of 0.50, 0.65, and 0.75 mm2 and is thermoformed at 150 to 175 °C.

What the laboratory tests show

To objectively assess the behavior of the new film, it was compared in the laboratory with a conventional aligner material—under conditions that replicate use in the mouth (bending tests in a 37 °C warm water bath over many hours)3. Three results are particularly relevant for practice:

• More constant force: While the conventional material retained only about 38% of its initial force after 24 hours, CA Pro retained about 51%. The force therefore drops more slowly and acts more uniformly over the wearing time.
• Lower initial force: CA Pro starts with significantly lower force. This increases wearing comfort, especially in the first hours after switching to a new tray.
• Better recovery (less permanent deformation): After several loading cycles, the conventional material deformed permanently much more than CA Pro.4 An aligner that retains its shape better transfers its force over a longer distance of tooth movement.

Additionally, the staining tendency was tested5by placing samples in coffee, tea, cola, red wine, and cognac for extended periods. With CA Pro, staining occurred essentially only at the cut edges, not across the surface—an advantage for discreet appearance during treatment.

Two Treatment Examples from Practice

A 36-Year-Old Patient with Crowding

A 36-year-old patient presented with crowding of the front teeth in both upper and lower jaws, as well as early gum recession with wedge-shaped defects. Treatment was carried out with CA Pro aligners, supplemented by minimal, targeted interproximal reduction to create space and prevent further damage. The material felt noticeably more elastic during insertion than usual, which improved wearing comfort. After just ten weeks, the dental arches were significantly straightened; after a total of 16 weeks, a very good result was achieved and secured with fixed retainers.

A 31-Year-Old Patient with In-Office Treatment

A 31-year-old patient wanted correction of mild crowding. His aligners were completely planned and fabricated in the practice itself (in-office) — from digital impressions through 3D planning to printing the models. A thorough preliminary examination with short screening ruled out a temporomandibular disorder. Over two treatment phases with a total of 24 aligners, the bite was harmonized while deliberately keeping the molars stable. After nine months, the goal was achieved and secured with a fixed retainer in the lower jaw and a night guard in the upper jaw.

What Does This Mean for Treatment?

The material properties of CA Pro — lower yet more constant force and better resilience — are not just laboratory data but offer tangible benefits: A gentler initial force can make wearing more comfortable, and a more consistent force delivery supports continuous, predictable tooth movement. Both can promote compliance, because aligners only work when worn consistently 20 to 22 hours a day. The material is particularly interesting for treatment with clear aligners as part of orthodontics for adultswho value a discreet and comfortable solution.

In both cases presented, the planned goals were achieved without additional intermediate steps. However, the scientific context remains important: These are initial clinical experiences with a new material.6 Larger studies are needed to conclusively demonstrate the long-term benefit. Dr. Steinmaier therefore uses new materials such as CA Pro in a targeted manner and based on careful diagnostics—always tailored to the individual situation.

What CA Pro Foil Brings to Practice

CA Pro is an example of how advances in materials can tangibly improve aligner therapy: lower forces for greater comfort, more constant force delivery for uniform tooth movement, and good suitability for digital fabrication in the practice itself. For many adults seeking inconspicuous tooth correction, this expands the possibilities — always embedded in sound planning.

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