Predicting Interest in Orthodontic Aligners: A Google Trends Data Analysis

Abstract

Aligners are an example of how advances in dentistry can develop from innovative combinations of 3D technologies in imaging, planning and printing to provide new treatment modalities. With increasing demand for esthetic orthodontic treatment, aligners have grown in popularity because they are esthetically more pleasing and less obstructive to oral hygiene and other oral functions compared to fixed orthodontic appliances. To observe and estimate aligner treatment interest among Google Search users, Google Trends data were obtained and analyzed for the search term, “Invisalign”. A prediction of interest for the year 2022 for three European Union countries with the highest GDP was developed. “Invisalign” was chosen to represent all orthodontic aligners as the most searched term in Google Trends for aligners. This is the first study to predict interest in the query “Invisalign” in a Google search engine. The Prophet algorithm, which depends on advanced statistical analysis methods, positions itself as an automatic prediction procedure and was used to predict Google Trends data. Seasonality modeling was based on the standard Fourier series to provide a flexible model of periodic effects. The results predict an increase in “Invisalign” in Google Trends queries in the coming year, increasing by around 6%, 9% and 13% by the end of 2022 compared to 2021 for France, Italy and Germany, respectively. Forecasting allows practitioners to plan for growing demand for particular treatments, consider taking continuing education, specifically, aligner certification courses, or introduce modern scanning technology into offices. The oral health community can use similar prediction tools and methods to remain alert to future changes in patient demand to improve the responses of professional organizations as a whole, work more effectively with governments if needed, and provide better coordination of care for patients.

Google Trends Assessment of Keywords Related to Smoking and Smoking Cessation During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 4 European Countries: Retrospective Analysis

“…Google Trends data reflects interest for keywords on a scale from 0-100 (= relative search volume (RSV)) relative to all search inquiries in a given period and location. Google Trends data has been proven a valid tool in medical research and has been applied throughout various fields in medicine for example evaluating effects of interventions or forecasting future trends to prepare healthcare providers [25,26]. In smoking-related research, different tobacco control measures have been evaluated using RSV [27][28][29][30].…”

Integrated manufacturing of direct 3D-printed clear aligners

“…In 1997, his team of Stanford University graduates launched a start-up in Silicon Valley branded as "Align technology" by employing Computer Aided Designing and Manufacturing (CAD/ CAM). Over time, there has been an increasing interest among the patients and ingress of a vast number of companies, making it a blooming domain of orthodontics (4).…”

Dynamics of Social Media Popularity of “Do It Yourself” Orthodontic Aligners: A YouTube Case Study

“…Over the past 10 years, aligners have gained popularity among the youths in many countries worldwide because they do not compromise the esthetic during orthodontic treatment as seen with conventional orthodontic treatment. 1, 2 Due to this massively gained popularity, various brands have introduced “do it yourself” (DIY) aligners, a clear appliance system that can be carried out without direct contact between the patient and the clinician. 3, 4 Consumer usually receives aligners after scanning upper and lower teeth and adjacent structures done at their doorstep.…”