Patient Satisfaction With Digital Versus Conventional Impression Techniques in Clear Aligner Therapy: A Questionnaire-Based Comparative Study

Introduction Clear aligner therapy has gained popularity because of its esthetic appeal and patient-friendly nature. The impression-making process plays a crucial role in shaping a patient’s experience and treatment acceptance. With the increasing use of digital technologies, it is important to evaluate whether digital impressions improve patient satisfaction compared with conventional techniques. The aim of this study was to compare patient satisfaction between digital and conventional impression techniques and to evaluate patient-reported comfort and fit of aligners fabricated using these methods. Materials and methods This prospective questionnaire-based study included 50 patients aged 13-30 years who required mild orthodontic correction. Each participant underwent both digital impressions using an intraoral scanner and conventional impressions using polyvinyl siloxane on separate occasions. Clear aligners were fabricated using both techniques, and patient satisfaction was assessed using a validated self-designed questionnaire. The evaluated parameters included comfort, breathing difficulty, gag reflex, anxiety, perceived duration, aligner fit, distortion, and ease of speech. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results Digital impression techniques demonstrated significantly higher patient satisfaction across all evaluated parameters, including comfort, pleasantness, breathing ease, absence of gag reflex, and overall experience (p = 0.001 for most comparisons). Patients also showed greater willingness for repetition with digital methods (p = 0.005). Digitally fabricated aligners were associated with significantly better tray comfort, fit, and reduced distortion (p = 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between digital and conventional techniques in terms of ease of speech (p = 0.062). Overall satisfaction scores were significantly higher for the digital workflow (p = 0.001). Conclusion Digital impression techniques significantly enhanced patient satisfaction and acceptance of clear aligner therapy. Improved comfort during impression-making and a better perceived aligner fit may contribute to increased compliance. Incorporating digital workflows into orthodontic practice can optimize patient-centered outcomes and improve the overall treatment experience.