Clear aligners technique: patient’s expectations and perceptions

Abstract

The use of aligners to resolve a malocclusion is very widespread today. Aligners present a lot of positive aspects such as comfort, esthetic, hygiene and gingival health. The aesthetic advantage has made it possible to use the technique even in adult patients. It appears that a major part of the sample analyzed shows a high level of satisfaction which sometimes, in a very little part of patients, can decrease when the communications and the information required is not fulfilled. A controversial topic is the effectiveness of the therapy that, according to some authors, is not ideal in some kinds of malocclusions. The aim of the present study is to evaluate through questionnaire how clear aligners therapy influence patients’ quality of life, their comfort and oral health. The study wants to analyze the level of bruxism, TMJ pain, headache and mucosal lesions. Finally, it explores patients’ satisfaction.