Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Nov;23(4):363-370.
doi: 10.1111/ocr.12382. Epub 2020 May 13.

Effect of clear aligners on oral health-related quality of life: A systematic review

Bo Zhang  1   2 , Xinqi Huang  1   2 , Sibei Huo  1   3 , Chenghao Zhang  1   2 , Sen Zhao  4 , Xiao Cen  1   5 , Zhihe Zhao  1   2
Affiliations

Effect of clear aligners on oral health-related quality of life: A systematic review

Bo Zhang et al. Orthod Craniofac Res. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Clear aligners have been frequently applied in orthodontic clinic practice. However, its effect on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) compared with fixed appliance treatment (FAT) remains inconclusive. This systematic review aimed to compare the impacts of clear aligner treatment (CAT) with FAT on patients' OHRQoL. Electronic searches of databases (PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Medline, two Chinese databases and six grey literature databases) were conducted up to July 2019. Randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, cohort studies and cross-sectional studies comparing the impact of CAT and FAT on OHRQoL with validated instruments were included. Extraction of data and assessment of the risk of bias were conducted using ROBINS-I-tool, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and ROB 2.0 based on study design. Of the 1112 records initially identified, 2 studies were included in this review. One study evaluated OHRQoL at the last debonding appointment, while the other made evaluation at the early stage of treatment. In the aspect of functional dimensions, both studies reported less eating disturbance in CAT patients than FAT ones. Based on currently limited information, the effect of CAT on the overall OHRQoL compared to FTA was still inconclusive. In individual dimensions, however, weak evidence supported that CAT might cause less eating disturbance than FAT. More high-quality clinical trials using validated OHRQoL instruments are needed to draw more reliable conclusions in the effect of CAT and FAT on OHRQoL.

Keywords: clear aligners; oral health-related quality of life; orthodontics; systematic review.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. Kesling HD. Coordinating the predetermined pattern and tooth positioner with conventional treatment. Am J Orthod Oral Surg. 1946;32:285-293.
    1. Gherunpong S, Tsakos G, Sheiham A. Developing and evaluating an oral health-related quality of life index for children; the CHILD-OIDP. Community Dent Health. 2004;21(2):161-169.
    1. Aaronson NK. Quality of life: what is it? How should it be measured? Oncology (Williston Park). 1988;2(5):69-76, 64.
    1. Choi WS, Lee S, McGrath C, Samman N. Change in quality of life after combined orthodontic-surgical treatment of dentofacial deformities. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2010;109(1):46-51.
    1. Sischo L, Broder HL. Oral health-related quality of life: what, why, how, and future implications. J Dent Res. 2011;90(11):1264-1270.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources