An Assessment of Orthodontists’ Perception About Efficiency of Various Tooth Movements Carried Out Using Clear Aligner Therapy

Abstract

Background With orthodontic patient demographics expanding to involve more adults, the demand for esthetic appliances is greater and orthodontists are keen on offering their patients more discreet and even invisible options. Clear aligners are a very viable option which offers all this, and it is noteworthy that more and more orthodontists in India are practicing the craft. Keeping this vision in mind, and the fact that aligners are revolutionary and here to stay, this study was conducted to assess the efficiency of various tooth movements carried out with clear aligner therapy as compared to traditional orthodontic treatment. Aim This questionnaire-based survey aimed to analyze and assess the orthodontists’ perception and experience of various tooth movements carried out with clear aligner in their routine clinical practice in India. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted by sending out a questionnaire on a virtual platform. It was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Dental Institute it was carried out in (Ref no: SDCH/IEC/OUT 2021/13). A sample size of 205 participants within the age group of 27–59 years was taken. The participants comprised of orthodontists practicing in various parts of India. A questionnaire, comprising of 22 closed-ended questions, was created on Google forms and circulated to participants using various social media platforms. The data of responses of participants were analyzed and evaluated with the help of chi-square test and p values were interpreted for the significance of responses. Results This survey analyzed the experience of orthodontists with respect to the various tooth movements carried out with clear aligners. There were mixed responses, but most of them suggested the aligners to be either same in effectiveness or poorer than the fixed appliances in carrying out various tooth movements. Conclusion This questionnaire-based survey helped in analyzing the orthodontists’ perception on the use of clear aligners in their routine clinical practice in India. It most importantly helped in assessing various kinds of tooth movements achievable with clear aligners. It also helped in getting an opinion on the movements presently not possible with aligners alone. This study clearly suggests that the general perception amongst the orthodontists is that more advancement is needed as far as aligners are concerned before they become competent enough to deal with various tooth movements easily achievable with fixed appliances.