Orthodontists' and patients' perceptions regarding techniques to reduce the orthodontic treatment duration

The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients' and orthodontists' perspectives on knowledge of techniques for reducing orthodontic treatment time and acceptance of these techniques.

A total of 200 individuals were interviewed and equally divided into two groups: orthodontist group (62 female and 38 male; mean age, 38.07 years) and patient group (52 female and 48 male; mean age, 22.61 years; in the active stage of fixed orthodontic treatment). One questionnaire for each group was administered, including questions about the duration of orthodontic treatment and techniques used for treatment optimization, such as corticotomy, distraction osteogenesis, vibration, and laser therapy. The associations between variables were analyzed by the χ² test at a significance level of 5%.

Among orthodontists, 76% knew at least one technique to reduce the treatment duration, with corticotomy being the most frequently cited (66%); however, only 12% used one or more of these techniques. Laser therapy was the most frequently implemented technique (7%). Regarding the duration of orthodontic treatment, the mean time reported by orthodontists was 19 to 24 months, regardless of the technique or the experience of the orthodontist. Furthermore, 39% of patients expected their treatment to last for more than 24 months, with 50% accepting to undergo further procedures to reduce this duration.

Patients are willing to undergo additional procedures to reduce the treatment duration and to bear additional costs. However, despite their knowledge, orthodontists do not apply or offer these techniques to the patients.