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Orthodontic-related posts on Instagram: are they evidence based?
The Angle Orthodontist
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Most orthodontic posts on Instagram lack scientific evidence. When evidence is cited, the studies are often of moderate to low quality, highlighting a need for improved information credibility.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Social Media Analysis
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Instagram is a popular platform for sharing health information.
- The quality and evidence base of orthodontic content on social media are largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of evidence-based orthodontic content on Instagram.
- To assess the quality of scientific studies cited in these posts.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional analysis of 1600 Instagram posts using eight orthodontic hashtags.
- Duplicate screening and data extraction of post characteristics.
- Retrieval and quality assessment of cited scientific articles.
Main Results:
- Only 25 out of 1600 posts cited scientific evidence.
- Cited studies were predominantly narrative reviews and epidemiological studies.
- Of 23 retrieved articles, only five were high quality, with nine moderate and nine low quality.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant lack of evidence-based orthodontic information on Instagram.
- Cited scientific literature is often of moderate to low quality.
- A collaborative effort is needed to enhance the credibility of orthodontic content online.
