Analysis of the information contained within TikTok videos regarding orthodontic retention

Background: To analyze the content, reliability, and quality of relevant TikTok videos regarding orthodontic retention. Methods: Six relevant terms were searched on the TikTok social media Web site. Uploaded videos satis-fying inclusion/exclusion criteria were assessed for the presence of nine predetermined content domains and categorized as "high-content" ( >= 5) or "low-content" ( < 5). Reliability was determined using the DIS-CERN instrument and quality by the Global Quality Score (GQS). Layperson videos were evaluated for themes using discourse analysis. Intraclass coefficients for content, DISCERN scores, and GQS were calcu-lated for intrarater reliability. Statistical analysis was via IBM SPSS Statistics (version 27.0.0.0; SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL). Results: Orthodontists uploaded 37.8% and laypersons 34% of the 209 assessed videos. Just 22.1% of videos were considered to be 'high-content.' Quality of life issues related to retainer wear was the domain that was present least often in the videos provided by orthodontists (13.9%) and most often in those uploaded by laypersons (53.5%). High-content videos recorded greater mean GQS and DISCERN scores compared with low-content videos ( P < 0.001). Strong positive associations existed between the number of domains present and DISCERN scores (rho = 0.808; P < 0.01) and between GQS and DISCERN scores (rho = 0.67; P < 0.01). Intraclass coefficient scores ranged between 0.92 and 0.98. Dissatisfaction with the need for long-term retainer wear was a prevalent negative theme in layperson videos. Conclusions: The content, reliability, and quality of TikTok videos regarding orthodontic retention were poor. The orthodontic profession must use TikTok effectively to ensure it delivers high-quality information relevant to laypersons' concerns.