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Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
Published on: February 23, 2024
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Esthetic perception of clear aligner therapy attachments using eye-tracking technology.
Jessica Kimberly Thai1, Eustaquio Araujo2, Julie McCray2
1Private practice, Chantilly, Va.
Summary
Clear aligners with attachments are less aesthetically preferred than those without, with most patients prioritizing treatment outcomes over appliance appearance. This study used eye-tracking to compare perceptions of orthodontic appliances.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Dental Materials Science
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Aesthetic perceptions of orthodontic appliances significantly influence patient satisfaction and treatment compliance.
- Clear aligner therapy (CAT) is a popular orthodontic treatment, but the visibility of attachments can impact its aesthetic appeal.
- Evaluating patient preferences for different orthodontic appliance designs is crucial for improving treatment experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the aesthetic perceptions of clear aligner therapy (CAT) with attachments versus aesthetic brackets using eye-tracking technology.
- To quantify differences in visual attention towards various orthodontic appliance configurations.
- To correlate objective eye-tracking data with subjective patient preferences.
Main Methods:
- 250 adult subjects viewed images of four orthodontic appliance types: CAT control (minimal attachments), CAT with anterior/posterior attachments, aesthetic brackets, and CAT with posterior attachments.
- Eye-tracking measured time to first fixation, total fixation duration, and visit count/duration for each image displayed for 6 seconds.
- Subjects completed a post-viewing online survey regarding appliance preferences.
Main Results:
- Participants spent the least time viewing the control (minimal attachments) and most time viewing the anterior/posterior attachments, indicating higher visual attention to more complex designs.
- The preference hierarchy was: minimal attachments control > ceramic brackets > posterior attachments > anterior/posterior attachments.
- Despite aesthetic concerns, 88.4% of subjects would compromise appliance aesthetics for a better treatment outcome.
Conclusions:
- Increased number of attachments on clear aligners correlates with longer fixation durations, suggesting reduced aesthetic appeal.
- Patients generally prefer clear aligners without attachments and ceramic brackets over those with multiple attachments.
- While aesthetics are important, the pursuit of superior treatment outcomes often outweighs concerns about appliance visibility.
