Orthodontic treatment demand for fixed treatment and aligners among young adults in middle Europe and South America - a questionnaire study

Abstract

Background: Patients experiencing any malocclusion, may desire for treatment. However, there is no scientific information orthodontic treatment demand and the knowledge of young adults about orthodontic treatment. The aim of the study was to assess orthodontic treatment demand in young adults from Poland and Chile, their previous orthodontic experience and their knowledge on fixed and aligner orthodontic treatment.

Methods: The target group comprised people aged 18-30. The sample size was estimated as above 400 for each country. The survey was carried out in Polish and Spanish within 3 months and consisted of 25 questions delivered via social media. Comparisons were made between countries, age subgroups and gender.

Results: The response rate was 1,99%, what stands for 1092 responses, 670 from Chile and 422 from Poland, respectively. The percentage of young adults who were already treated was 42,9% in Poland and 25,0% in Chile. The ones planning to have orthodontic treatment within a year counted for 11,8% in Poland and 5,3% in Chile. Most young adults who want to be treated (20,6%) rely on doctor's recommendation on type of appliance while 14,7% of all respondents are interested solely in aligners. Most respondents have heard about aligners (58%). Direct provider-to-customer service without a doctor is not acceptable, neither in Poland (85,1%) nor in Chile (64,8%). Most young adults provided incorrect answers referring various aspects of aligner treatment.

Conclusions: In both countries, patients demand to be treated and monitored by the orthodontist. A high percentage of patients want to be treated exclusively with aligners. Direct-to-consumer orthodontics does not seem attractive to patients. Young adults do not have adequate knowledge referring to aligner treatment. Many people want to be treated despite a previous orthodontic treatment.

Keywords: Aligners; Direct-to-consumer; Europe; Fixed appliance; Latin America; Orthodontic treatment demand; Orthodontic treatment need; Patient’s compliance; Patient’s experience; Questionnaire.

Fig. 1

Age and gender of respondents in each cities of various population

Fig. 2

Age and gender of respondents willing to have orthodontic treatment

Fig. 3

Percentage of respondents according to preferable type of treatment

Fig. 4

Percentage of respondents who answered it was acceptable for them to accepts a orthodontic treatment without being consulted by doctor

Fig. 5

Answers of respondents on question whether they found acceptable to have a treatment which would not be controlled by the clinician

Fig. 6

Share of respondents, who found acceptable to be treated by general practitioner instead of specialist in orthodontics

Fig. 7

Differences in most important characteristics according to age, country and gender of the respondents

Fig. 8

Differences in answers according to age, country and gender of the respondents

Fig. 9

Differences in answers according to age and gender of the respondents

Fig. 10

Percentage of respondents according to their experience with orthodontic treatment

Fig. 11

Age, gender and country of respondents according to the time they were treated

Fig. 12

Age, country and gender of respondents according to number of their assosciates ever wearing aligners

Fig. 13

Knowledge of the brands in question among respondents

Fig. 14

Source of information about the aligners among the respondents

Fig. 15

Share of the respondents according to age and gender

Fig. 16

Least painful treatment type according to respondents

Fig. 17

Source of information about aligners among the respondents

Fig. 18

Share of the respondents according to age and gender

Fig. 19

Differences in answers according to age and gender of the respondents