[Current situation and prospect for orthodontic thermoplastic materials].

Aesthetic and comfortable transparent retainers and clear plastic appliances are becoming increasingly popular, and their components, especially thermoplastic materials, are gradually attracting widespread interest. Orthodontic thermoplastic materials are versatile polymers, and thus their properties, such as force delivery, force relaxation, and aging properties have been comprehensively studied. Meanwhile, blending modification technology has been applied for the acquisition of novel materials with enhanced characteristics. In this paper, we review the types and properties of thermoplastic materials, the development process they undergo, factors that influence their properties, and some development prospects.