Clear aligner therapy practice among orthodontists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland: A cross-sectional survey of the British Orthodontic Society membership

TY - JOUR

T1 - Clear aligner therapy practice among orthodontists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

T2 - A cross-sectional survey of the British Orthodontic Society membership

AU - Meade, Maurice J

AU - Weir, Tony

AU - Seehra, Jadbinder

AU - Fleming, Padhraig S

PY - 2023/10/13

Y1 - 2023/10/13

N2 - OBJECTIVE: To investigate clear aligner therapy (CAT) practice among orthodontists in the British Orthodontic Society (BOS).DESIGN: A cross-sectional online survey.METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed to members of the BOS in 2022. The survey comprised questions regarding respondent demographics, general use of CAT, the choice of proprietary CAT appliances, CAT planning, case selection, treatment protocols and orthodontist-reported CAT problems.RESULTS: Overall, 233 (19.5%) responses were received with the majority (n = 121, 53.1%) being female. Most respondents reported practising in England (n = 171, 74.7%). The majority (n = 177, 77.3%) indicated that they used CAT in their practice, with 48.1% (n = 81) treating 1-20 patients with CAT annually. The most frequently prescribed CAT system was Invisalign (n = 138, 81.2%). One to three changes to the initial digital treatment plan were made by 72.9% (n = 121) with final tooth positions being the most common reason for adjustment (64.4%). Most (n = 97, 60.3%) rarely or never performed premolar extractions with CAT. Of the respondents, 23 12.7%) reported that they always or mostly used a remote monitoring system in conjunction with CAT, with a wide range of aligner change protocols reported. The median number of months required to complete non-extraction CAT reported by the respondents was 12. Most respondents (n = 77, 51.7%) did not feel that CAT provides superior outcomes compared with fixed appliance therapy.CONCLUSION: CAT practice varied widely among the surveyed orthodontists. A predilection for the use of Invisalign and utility in less severe cases was noted.

AB - OBJECTIVE: To investigate clear aligner therapy (CAT) practice among orthodontists in the British Orthodontic Society (BOS).DESIGN: A cross-sectional online survey.METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed to members of the BOS in 2022. The survey comprised questions regarding respondent demographics, general use of CAT, the choice of proprietary CAT appliances, CAT planning, case selection, treatment protocols and orthodontist-reported CAT problems.RESULTS: Overall, 233 (19.5%) responses were received with the majority (n = 121, 53.1%) being female. Most respondents reported practising in England (n = 171, 74.7%). The majority (n = 177, 77.3%) indicated that they used CAT in their practice, with 48.1% (n = 81) treating 1-20 patients with CAT annually. The most frequently prescribed CAT system was Invisalign (n = 138, 81.2%). One to three changes to the initial digital treatment plan were made by 72.9% (n = 121) with final tooth positions being the most common reason for adjustment (64.4%). Most (n = 97, 60.3%) rarely or never performed premolar extractions with CAT. Of the respondents, 23 12.7%) reported that they always or mostly used a remote monitoring system in conjunction with CAT, with a wide range of aligner change protocols reported. The median number of months required to complete non-extraction CAT reported by the respondents was 12. Most respondents (n = 77, 51.7%) did not feel that CAT provides superior outcomes compared with fixed appliance therapy.CONCLUSION: CAT practice varied widely among the surveyed orthodontists. A predilection for the use of Invisalign and utility in less severe cases was noted.

U2 - 10.1177/14653125231204889

DO - 10.1177/14653125231204889

M3 - Article

C2 - 37830274

SN - 1465-3125

JO - Journal of orthodontics

JF - Journal of orthodontics

M1 - 14653125231204889

ER -