Patient satisfaction and compliance with clear aligner therapy during treatment

Introduction: This study compared patient satisfaction between both clear aligner and traditional fixed appliance treatment. This study also explored patient compliance with both treatment modalities, outcomes, and overall satisfaction. Methods: Two, original, paper copy questionnaires were distributed to 394 patients at a University orthodontic clinic and one private practice orthodontic office, one for patients in active clear aligner treatment and one for patients in active traditional fixed appliance treatment. Surveys were completed prior to scheduled orthodontic appointments and results were analyzed. Categorical responses were evaluated with chi-squared tests or Fisher’s exact test. Differences in compliance were compared with paired t-tests. Results: Two hundred and six patients in clear aligner treatment and 188 patients in fixed appliance treatment were recruited. Included patients were aged 8-89. Sixty-two percent of patients were receiving orthodontic treatment for the first time. The majority of patients undergoing re-treatment received clear aligner therapy, including the majority of those originally treated with fixed appliances. Patients in fixed appliances believe that they provide a superior result to aligners. Patients in aligners perceived that they provided a similar result to fixed appliances. More patients in fixed appliances said they would switch to aligners if provided the opportunity than patients who would switch from aligners to fixed appliances (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between expected and actual patient compliance with aligner treatment. Conclusions: Patient satisfaction was high for both treatment modalities. Patients preferred clear aligners over fixed appliances for re-treatment. Patients reported choosing clear aligner therapy due to esthetics of treatment and more anticipated comfort. More patients reported a desire to switch to aligners than to fixed appliances during active treatment and compliance with aligner treatment was good.