The Impact of Orthodontic Treatment Choice on Quality of Life and Parent/Caregiver Perception in Adolescent Patients: Clear Aligners or Fixed Appliances?
Lokman Hekim health sciences (Online), cilt.6, sa.1, ss.18-26, 2026 (TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 6 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.14744/lhhs.2025.82051
- Dergi Adı: Lokman Hekim health sciences (Online)
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Central & Eastern European Academic Source (CEEAS), CINAHL, Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.18-26
- Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır
Özet
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.