Clear aligner treatment: different perspectives between orthodontists and general dentists

Fabrizia D’Apuzzo,Vincenzo Grassia,Caroline K Carrico,Tommaso Castroflorio,Letizia Perillo,Bhavna Shroff,Steven J Lindauer

doi:10.1186/s40510-019-0263-3

Fabrizia D’Apuzzo, Vincenzo Grassia + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40510-019-0263-3

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Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate differences between orthodontists and general dentists in experience with clear aligners (CA), patients’ demand and perception, types of patients, and malocclusion treated with CA and to compare the two groups of clinicians not using CA in their practice.MethodsA Web-based survey was developed and sent to the 129 members of the European Aligner Society and randomly to 200 doctors of dental surgery by e-mail. They responded on demographics and to one of two different parts for clinicians using CA or not using CA. Statistical analysis was performed with SAS EGv.6.1.ResultsThe response rate was 74%. Among the total of respondents, the majority reported utilizing CA in their practice with a greater percentage of orthodontists (P = 0.0040). Overall, orthodontists learned more about CA during academic seminars comparing to general dentists, and they treated more class I with crowding (P = 0.0002) and with open bite (P = 0.0462). The majority of patients treated with CA were female and adults with a full-time employment, and the patients’ knowledge about CA treatment was mainly provided by information from external media advertising. For respondents not using CA, orthodontists were more likely to report that CA limit treatment outcomes, whereas general practitioners were reported not having enough experience to use them.ConclusionsThere were some significant differences between orthodontists and general dentists mainly in experience and case selection for clinicians using CA as well as in the reasons provided for not using CA in their practice.

Highlights

Clear aligners (CA) have been used in orthodontics since 1946 when Dr Harold Kesling introduced the use of a series of thermoplastic tooth positioners to obtain tooth alignment [1]
A Web-based survey was developed for orthodontists and general dentists to respond to statements about the perspective of the clear aligner treatments
The age of the respondents ranged between 24 and more than 61 years; 14% of orthodontists versus 31% of general dentists ranged between 24 and 30 years, and 50% of general dentists were in practice since 1 to 10 years, general dentists were more likely to be younger than orthodontists (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Clear aligners (CA) have been used in orthodontics since 1946 when Dr Harold Kesling introduced the use of a series of thermoplastic tooth positioners to obtain tooth alignment [1]. CA treatment has evolved mainly over the last 15 years through new technologies and materials to widen the range of tooth movements [2]. The main advantages of CA treatment are better esthetics with higher patient acceptance and a general better quality of life [3]. CA treatment causes less pain compared to a traditional fixed treatment [4] and an improvement of the gingival and

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Conclusion