The Impact of Orthodontic Treatment Choice on Quality of Life and Parent/Caregiver Perception in Adolescent Patients: Clear Aligners or Fixed Appliances?

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the effects of traditional fixed orthodontic treatment and clear aligner therapy on the satisfaction levels of adolescent patients and their parents/caregivers.
Methods: Data were prospectively collected from children aged 12–18 years diagnosed with malocclusion. Participants were divided into two equal groups: Group A received traditional fixed orthodontic treatment, and Group B received clear aligner therapy. At the end of treatment, the COHIP-SF19 questionnaire was administered to the children, the P-CPQ to their parents/caregivers, and the FIS-8 to their parents. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Results: This study included 114 children; group A consisted of 57 children and group B 57. Children treated with clear aligners had significantly lower COHIP-SF19 scores compared to those treated with fixed appliances (Median: 14.0 vs. 33.0, p<0.001). Similarly, P-CPQ scores were lower in the clear aligner group (Median: 6.0 vs. 12.0, p<0.001). FIS-8 scores were also significantly lower in the clear aligner group (Median: 4.0 vs. 10.0, p = 0.001).
Discussion and Conclusion: Clear aligner therapy was associated with improved oral health-related quality of life in adolescent patients and more positive perceptions among parents/caregivers compared to fixed orthodontic treatment. Lower scores across all scales in the clear aligner group may reflect advantages in aesthetics, comfort, and ease of maintaining oral hygiene.

Keywords: Adolescent orthodontics; Clear aligners; Fixed orthodontic treatment; Malocclusion; Quality of life; Parental/Caregiver satisfaction