Clear aligner treatment: different perspectives between orthodontists and general dentists

Area of Science:

• Dental Science
• Orthodontics
• Restorative Dentistry

Background:

• Clear aligners (CA) are increasingly used in orthodontic and general dental practices.
• Understanding the differences in CA utilization between specialists and general practitioners is crucial for practice management and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare orthodontists and general dentists regarding their experience with clear aligners (CA).
• To evaluate differences in patient demand, perception, case selection, and treated malocclusions with CA.
• To compare clinicians who do and do not use CA in their practice.

Main Methods:

• A web-based survey was distributed to members of the European Aligner Society and general dentists.
• Respondents provided demographic information and details on CA use or non-use.
• Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant differences between groups.

Main Results:

• A higher percentage of orthodontists utilize CA compared to general dentists (P=.0040).
• Orthodontists received more academic training on CA and treated more Class I crowding and open bite cases.
• Patients' knowledge of CA primarily stems from media advertising; common CA patients are adult females in full-time employment.

Conclusions:

• Significant disparities exist between orthodontists and general dentists in CA experience and case selection.
• Reasons for not using CA also differ, with orthodontists citing treatment limitations and general dentists citing insufficient experience.