Since their appearance, studies about aligners were focalized on the description, the operating mode, the biomechanics and the efficacity of this system. However, there aren’t many published articles about patient satisfaction. Our main goal was to evaluate the perception and satisfaction of patients treated by orthodontic aligners in the private sector of Casablanca in Morocco in order to shed light on the strong aspects and weaknesses of this type of treatment. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by interrogating 68 patients in exclusive orthodontic practices in Casablanca. 93.7% of patients were satisfied to very satisfied with the global duration of the treatment and 92.7% were satisfied to very satisfied with the time necessary to see the first results. 91.2% of patients were satisfied with the current results of the treatment. The main troubles caused by wearing aligners were: problems with pronunciation and speech (48.5%) and mucosal injuries (19.1%). 63.2% of the patients using aligners felt pain, and 4.4% took analgesics for it. With the growing interest in aesthetic appearance, clear aligners represent an alternative to conventional fixed orthodontic treatments. Patients who received treatment with aligners were generally satisfied. Nevertheless, there were some inconveniences following the wearing of aligners.
Cite this paper
Alami, S. , Sahim, S. , Hilal, F. , Essamlali, A. and Quars, F. E. (2022). Perception and Satisfaction of Patients Treated with Orthodontic Clear Aligners. Open Access Library Journal, 9, e9300. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1109300.
Azaripour, A., Weusmann, J. and Mahmoodi, B. (2015) Braces versus Invisalign®: Gingival Parameters and Patients’ Satisfaction during Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Oral Health, 15, Article No. 69.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-015-0060-4
Sahim, S. and El Quars, F. (2021). Effectiveness and Stability of Treatment with Orthodontics Clear Aligners: What Evidence? In: Current Trends in Orthodontics, IntechOpen, London. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99998
Gao, M., Yan, X., Zhao, R., Shan, Y., Chen, Y. and Jian, F. (2021) Comparison of Pain Perception, Anxiety, and Impacts on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Between Patients Receiving Clear Aligners and Fixed Appliances during the Initial Stage of Orthodontic Treatment. European Journal of Orthodontics, 43, 353-359.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ejo/cjaa037
Brignardello-Petersen, R. (2019) Moderate-to-High Levels of Satisfaction and No Important Concerns in Patients Who Received Treatment with Clear Orthodontic Aligners. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 150, Article No. 20.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2018.06.020
Kazanci, F., Aydogan, C. and Alkan, Ö. (2016) Patients’ and Parents’ Concerns and Decisions about Orthodontic Treatment. Korean Journal of Orthodontics, 46, 20-26. https://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2016.46.1.20
Ko, H.-C., Liu, W., Hou, D., Torkan, S., Spiekerman, C. and Huang, G.J. (2018) Recommendations for Clear Aligner Therapy Using Digital or Plaster Study Casts. Progress in Orthodontics, 19, Article No. 22.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40510-018-0224-2
Pacheco-Pereira, C., Brandelli, J. and Flores-Mir, C. (2018) Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Life Changes after Invisalign Treatment. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 153, 834-841.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2017.10.023
Linjawi, A.I. and Abushal, A.M. (2022) Adaptational Changes in Clear Aligner Fit with Time: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis. The Angle Orthodontist, 92, 220-225. https://doi.org/10.2319/042421-330.1
Alansari, S., Atique, M.I., Gomez, J.P., Hamidaddin, M., Thirumoorthy, S.N. and Sangsuwon, C. (2018) The Effects of Brief Daily Vibration on Clear Aligner Ortho-dontic Treatment. Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists, 7, 134-140.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejwf.2018.10.002
Flores-Mir, C., Brandelli, J. and Pacheco-Pereira, C. (2018) Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Life Status after 2 Treatment Modalities: Invisalign and Conventional Fixed Appliances. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 154, 639-644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.01.013
Lee, R., Hwang, S., Lim, H., Cha, J.-Y., Kim, K.-H. and Chung, C.J.(2018) Treatment Satisfaction and Its Influencing Factors among Adult Orthodontic Patients. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 153, 808-817.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2017.09.015
Thai, J.K., Araujo, E., McCray, J., Schneider, P.P. and Kim, K.B. (2018) Esthetic Perception of Clear Aligner Therapy Attachments Using Eye-Tracking Technology. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 158, 400-409.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2019.09.014
Marañón-Vásquez, G.A., Barreto, L.S.C., Pithon, M.M, Nojima, L.I., Nojima, M.da.C.G. and Araújo, M.T.S. (2021) Reasons Influencing the Preferences of Prospective Patients and Orthodontists for Different Orthodontic Appliances. Korean Journal of Orthodontics, 51, 115-125. https://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2021.51.2.115
Nedwed, V. and Miethke, R.-R. (2005) Motivation, Acceptance and Problems of Invisalign Patients. Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics, 66, 162-173.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00056-005-0429-0
Alajmi, S., Shaban, A. and Al-Azemi, R. (2020) Comparison of Short-Term Oral Impacts Experienced by Patients Treated with Invisalign or Conventional Fixed Orthodontic Appliances. Medical Principles and Practice, 29, 382-388.
https://doi.org/10.1159/000505459
Wu, A.K.Y., McGrath, C.P.J., Wong, R.W.K., Rabie, A.B.M. and Wiechmann, D. (2008) A Comparison of Pain Experienced by Patients Treated with Labial and Lingual Orthodontic Appliances. Annals of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, 19, 176-178.
Cardoso, P.C., Espinosa, D.G., Mecenas, P., Flores-Mir, C. and Normando, D. (2020) Pain Level between Clear Aligners and Fixed Appliances: A Systematic Review. Progress in Orthodontics, 21, Article No. 3.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40510-019-0303-z
Antonio-Zancajo, L., Montero, J., Albaladejo, A., Oteo-Calatayud, M.D. and Alvarado-Lorenzo, A. (2020) Pain and Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life in Orthodontic Patients during Initial Therapy with Conventional, Low-Friction, and Lingual Brackets and Aligners (Invisalign): A Prospective Clinical Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9, Article No. 2088. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9072088
Mheissen, S., Khan, H. and Aldandan, M. (2020) Limited Evidence on Differences Between Fixed Appliances and Clear Aligners Regarding Pain Level. Evidence-Based Dentistry, 21, 144-145. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-020-0140-4
Almasoud, N.N. (2018) Pain Perception among Patients Treated with Passive Self-Ligating Fixed Appliances and Invisalign® Aligners during the First Week of Orthodontic Treatment. Korean Journal of Orthodontics, 48, 326-332.
https://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2018.48.5.326
Tran, J., Lou, T., Nebiolo, B., Castroflorio, T., Tassi, A. and Cioffi, I. (2020) Impact of Clear Aligner Therapy on Tooth Pain and Masticatory Muscle Soreness. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 47, 1521-1529. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13088
Diddige, R., Negi, G., Kiran, K.V.S. and Chitra, P. (2020) Comparison of Pain Levels in Patients Treated with 3 Different Orthodontic Appliances—A Randomized Trial. Medicine and Pharmacy Reports, 93, 81-88. https://doi.org/10.15386/mpr-1311
Miller, K.B., McGorray, S.P., Womack, R., Quintero, J.C., Perelmuter, M. and Gibson, J. (2007) A Comparison of Treatment Impacts between Invisalign Aligner and Fixed Appliance Therapy during the First Week of Treatment. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 131, 302.e1-9.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2006.05.031
