Women's experience following orthodontic treatment with conventional fixed appliances and clear aligners: A qualitative study

This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of female patients following completion of orthodontic treatment with conventional fixed appliances and clear aligners. It used a clinical qualitative design with, semi-structured interviews featuring open-ended questions. Participants were recruited from private orthodontic practices, and the sample size was determined by data saturation. The final group included six patients treated with conventional fixed appliances and nine patients treated with clear aligners. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis with peer validation of the categories. Seven categories emerged among patients treated with conventional fixed appliances: pain, discomfort, and hygiene difficulties; daily adaptations and restrictions; confidence in the professional; treatment duration; insecurity or embarrassment; desire to improve appearance; and satisfaction with treatment outcomes. For patients treated with clear aligners, seven categories were identified: practicality, comfort and hygiene; pain and discomfort related to use; treatment duration; willingness to recommend aligners; desire to improve appearance and appliance discretion; recommendation by the professional; and satisfaction. The findings show that, although patients with fixed appliances faced several challenges during treatment, aesthetic improvement was the main reason for seeking care, and overall satisfaction with the results was high. Patients who chose clear aligners aimed to avoid common limitations of fixed appliances and emphasized benefits related to comfort, convenience, oral hygiene, and discretion. These results highlight the importance of qualitative methods for understanding patient perspectives and can guide clinical communication and shared decision-making in adult orthodontic treatment.