A Cross-Sectional Survey of the Use of Clear Aligners by General Dentists in Australia

IF 1.7 Q3 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE

Clinical and Experimental Dental Research Pub Date : 2024-07-07 DOI:10.1002/cre2.919

Maurice J. Meade, Tony Weir

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

The primary aim of the investigation was to survey clear aligner therapy (CAT) use among general dentists in Australia. A secondary aim was to evaluate the factors that influenced general dentists in Australia not to provide CAT.

Material and Methods

General dentists registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency were invited to participate in a structured cross-sectional electronic survey. The survey covered demographics, preferred CAT systems and practices, relevant treatment planning and retention protocols, patient-reported CAT issues, pertinent respondent opinions, and reasons for not providing CAT. Descriptive statistics were computed via GraphPad Prism v10 (GraphPad Software Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA).

Results

Most of the 264 (n = 172; 65.2%) respondents indicated that they provided CAT. The majority (n = 82; 58.6%) reported that they treated between 1 and 20 patients with CAT annually. Invisalign was the most used system (n = 83; 61.2%), with 55 (41.7%), indicating that they used more than one system. Most (n = 124; 98.4%) were comfortable using CAT for mild crowding, whereas 73.4% (n = 94) were not comfortable in treating severe crowding with CAT. The median (IQR) number of patients per respondent treated with extraction of a permanent incisor or premolar was 0 (0). Issues regarding tooth positions were reportedly always or mostly in need of change in the initial treatment plan by 68.7%. Problems regarding patient compliance with CAT wear protocols (n = 67; 45.6%) and the predictability of treatment outcomes (n = 31; 21.1%) were the most identified themes of the free-text comments. Over 80% of those who did not provide CAT indicated that they preferred to refer to an orthodontist for management.

Conclusion

Almost two-thirds of the respondents provided CAT. Invisalign was the most used system. The majority use CAT combined with nonextraction treatment. Most of those who did not provide CAT preferred to refer to an orthodontist for patient management.

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澳大利亚普通牙医使用透明矫治器情况的横断面调查。

目的：调查的主要目的是调查澳大利亚普通牙医使用透明矫治器疗法（CAT）的情况。次要目的是评估影响澳大利亚普通牙医不提供CAT的因素：我们邀请在澳大利亚卫生从业者监管局注册的普通牙医参与一项结构化横截面电子调查。调查内容包括人口统计学、首选的 CAT 系统和实践、相关治疗计划和保留方案、患者报告的 CAT 问题、受访者的相关意见以及不提供 CAT 的原因。通过 GraphPad Prism v10（GraphPad Software Inc：264 位受访者中的大多数（n = 172；65.2%）表示他们提供了 CAT。大多数受访者（n = 82；58.6%）表示，他们每年用 CAT 治疗 1 到 20 名患者。隐适美是使用最多的系统（n = 83；61.2%），有 55 人（41.7%）表示他们使用了一种以上的系统。大多数患者（n = 124；98.4%）愿意使用 CAT 治疗轻度拥挤，而 73.4% 的患者（n = 94）不愿意使用 CAT 治疗严重拥挤。每位受访者接受拔除恒切牙或前磨牙治疗的患者人数中位数（IQR）为 0（0）。68.7%的受访者表示，在最初的治疗方案中，总是或大部分需要改变牙齿位置的问题。自由文本评论中最常见的主题是患者对 CAT 佩戴方案的依从性问题（67 人，占 45.6%）和治疗结果的可预测性问题（31 人，占 21.1%）。超过 80% 不提供 CAT 的受访者表示，他们更愿意转诊给正畸医生进行治疗：近三分之二的受访者提供了 CAT。隐适美是使用最多的系统。大多数受访者在使用计算机辅助矫正的同时，还使用非拔牙治疗。大多数不提供计算机辅助矫正的受访者倾向于将患者转介给正畸医生进行管理。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical and Experimental Dental Research DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE-

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

165

审稿时长

26 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical and Experimental Dental Research aims to provide open access peer-reviewed publications of high scientific quality representing original clinical, diagnostic or experimental work within all disciplines and fields of oral medicine and dentistry. The scope of Clinical and Experimental Dental Research comprises original research material on the anatomy, physiology and pathology of oro-facial, oro-pharyngeal and maxillofacial tissues, and functions and dysfunctions within the stomatognathic system, and the epidemiology, aetiology, prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of diseases and conditions that have an effect on the homeostasis of the mouth, jaws, and closely associated structures, as well as the healing and regeneration and the clinical aspects of replacement of hard and soft tissues with biomaterials, and the rehabilitation of stomatognathic functions. Studies that bring new knowledge on how to advance health on the individual or public health levels, including interactions between oral and general health and ill-health are welcome.