Oral health-related quality of life of orthodontic clear aligner versus conventional fixed appliance during treatment: A prospective cohort study

Background Orthodontic clear aligners are a technologically advanced treatment modality that improves aesthetics and comfort while impacting patients' oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Objective This study assessed and compared the OHRQoL of adult orthodontic patients receiving clear aligners and fixed appliances (metal and ceramic brackets) during orthodontic treatments. Methodology One hundred and five orthodontic patients were recruited and classified according to the treatment received. Group 1 clear aligners, group 2- fixed appliances/metal brackets, and Group 3-fixed appliances/ceramic brackets. The patients were surveyed using an Arabic version of the Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP- 14) questionnaire before (T0), 1-week (T1), and 3-months (T2) after the start of orthodontic treatment. Data was analysed using SPSS software at a significance level set at <= 0.05. Results The mean OHIP scores showed no significant difference between the 3 groups at T0 (p = 0.09) and T2 (p = 0.41) time intervals. On the contrary, the mean OHIP scores at T1 significantly differed between 3 groups (p = 0.03). The mean OHIP scores within the groups at different time intervals was significantly different. Multiple comparison within the groups showed significant reduction in the mean OHIP scores from T0 to T1 and T2 period and further from T1 to T2 period, and the mean differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion Adult patients treated with clear aligners had significantly higher OHRQoL than those who underwent conventional fixed bracket-based treatment after 7 days of treatment but OHRQoL was similar after three months of treatment.