Patient and Parental Satisfaction following Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligners and Elastodontic Appliances during Mixed Dentition: A Cross-Sectional Case–Control Study

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to assess patient and parental satisfaction following treatment during mixed dentition with two removable orthodontic devices: elastodontic appliances (EAs) and clear aligners (CAs). Consecutive patients below the age of 12 years who had completed the active phase of EA or CA therapy were recruited. A dedicated written questionnaire divided into four sections was used to measure parental and patient satisfaction regarding treatment experiences and treatment outcomes. The total sample included 56 subjects: 28 belonged to the EA group (7 girls and 21 boys; mean age 11 years); 28 belonged to the CA group (12 girls and 16 boys; mean age 9 years). Patients and parents of both the EA and CA groups were satisfied with the treatment experiences and outcomes. According to parental reporting, EA treatment was significantly more painful than CA therapy (p = 0.003), but this was not confirmed by the patients (p = 0.100). Both parents and patients reported EAs being significantly more difficult to wear than CAs (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Functional improvements were reported, including a reduction in grinding sounds in the CA group (p = 0.020) and breathing improvements in the EA group (p = 0.023). According to the parents, school life and social life were significantly improved in the CA group, as compared to the EA group (school life p < 0.001, social life p = 0.001). Finally, parents belonging to the CA group found that their child’s treatment was much shorter than expected (p = 0.003).

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“…In addition to the increased precision and comfort associated with the use of digital dentistry for practitioners, patient satisfaction has been reported in several studies. A survey conducted in Italy on patients’ and parents’ acceptance of clear orthodontic aligner therapy, showed more improvement in the patient’s social and school lives, increased overall satisfaction, and less painful to wear than traditional interceptive orthodontics [ 22 ]. While, according to the finding of a clinical trial conducted in Turkey (2014), the digital impression technique was more efficient, with a shortening of the treatment time, and more accepted from the patient’s point of view than the conventional impression technique [ 3 ].…”

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“…Overall satisfaction was reported with both treatments, with distinctions emerging regarding comfort and social impact. These insights provide valuable considerations for aligner treatments during mixed dentition [38].…”

“…Dianiskova's study [38] explored patient and parental satisfaction following orthodontic treatment with clear aligners (CAs) and elastodontic appliances (EAs) during childhood/adolescence. Overall satisfaction was reported with both treatments, with distinctions emerging regarding comfort and social impact.…”