Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient's Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study

Irmak Ocak; Semih Demirci; İsmail Seymen; Büşra Uysal

doi:10.52037/eads.2025.0017

Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient's Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the treatment experiences of individuals receiving orthodontic care with either clear aligners or fixed appliances. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 individuals aged 12–20 years undergoing active orthodontic treatment (clear aligners: n=45; fixed appliances: n=45). A face-to-face questionnaire comprising Likert-type, and multiple-choice items was administered to assess pain, oral hygiene, and ease of appliance use. Non-parametric continuous variables were analyzed with the Mann–Whitney U test, whereas categorical variables were evaluated using Chi-square and linear-by-linear association tests. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Pain during functional activities was significantly more pronounced in the fixed appliance group. Gingival bleeding and intraoral injuries were also more frequently reported in this group (p=0.004 and p=0.049, respectively). Conversely, speech impairment and halitosis were more commonly observed among clear aligner users (p=0.040 and p=0.007, respectively). Tooth brushing difficulty and the use of auxiliary oral hygiene tools were more prevalent in the fixed appliance group. The frequency of emergency-related additional appointments was significantly lower in the clear aligner group (p=0.023). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups regarding the impact on social life or willingness to recommend the treatment method (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that clear aligners and fixed appliances exert significantly different effects on patient experience across multiple domains. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating not only biomechanical considerations but also individual patient factors—such as lifestyle, communication needs, and oral hygiene routines—into orthodontic treatment planning.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Irmak Ocak ^*
0000-0002-4547-3595
Türkiye

Semih Demirci
0009-0003-2873-5260
Türkiye

İsmail Seymen This is me
0009-0008-5464-6081
Türkiye

Büşra Uysal This is me
0009-0001-1120-7774
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

August 30, 2025

Publication Date

August 31, 2025

Submission Date

June 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 24, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 52 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.52037/eads.2025.0017

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA29SA29BX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ocak, I., Demirci, S., Seymen, İ., & Uysal, B. (2025). Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient’s Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study. European Annals of Dental Sciences, 52(2), 111-119. https://doi.org/10.52037/eads.2025.0017

AMA

1.Ocak I, Demirci S, Seymen İ, Uysal B. Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient’s Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study. EADS. 2025;52(2):111-119. doi:10.52037/eads.2025.0017

Chicago

Ocak, Irmak, Semih Demirci, İsmail Seymen, and Büşra Uysal. 2025. “Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient’s Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study”. European Annals of Dental Sciences 52 (2): 111-19. https://doi.org/10.52037/eads.2025.0017.

EndNote

Ocak I, Demirci S, Seymen İ, Uysal B (August 1, 2025) Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient’s Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study. European Annals of Dental Sciences 52 2 111–119.

IEEE

[1]I. Ocak, S. Demirci, İ. Seymen, and B. Uysal, “Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient’s Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study”, EADS, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 111–119, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.52037/eads.2025.0017.

ISNAD

Ocak, Irmak - Demirci, Semih - Seymen, İsmail - Uysal, Büşra. “Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient’s Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study”. European Annals of Dental Sciences 52/2 (August 1, 2025): 111-119. https://doi.org/10.52037/eads.2025.0017.

JAMA

1.Ocak I, Demirci S, Seymen İ, Uysal B. Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient’s Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study. EADS. 2025;52:111–119.

MLA

Ocak, Irmak, et al. “Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient’s Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study”. European Annals of Dental Sciences, vol. 52, no. 2, Aug. 2025, pp. 111-9, doi:10.52037/eads.2025.0017.

Vancouver

1.Irmak Ocak, Semih Demirci, İsmail Seymen, Büşra Uysal. Comparison of Clear Aligners and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances from the Patient’s Perspective: A Questionnaire-Based Study. EADS. 2025 Aug. 1;52(2):111-9. doi:10.52037/eads.2025.0017