Public perception of the advertised claims of Damon® appliance system in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional survey-based study.

introductionThe clinical validity of self-ligating brackets' advertised claims, such as those for the Damon® appliance system, has been explored, but public awareness remains underexamined. This study assessed Saudi public perceptions of these claims. MATERIALS AND

methodsA web-based survey distributed via social media evaluated perceptions of Damon system claims, including treatment efficiency, patient discomfort, oral hygiene maintenance, and treatment esthetic results. Participants were also asked to outline their perception of Damon's appliance cost. Responses were ranked on a Likert scale and analyzed using the Chi-square test with Bonferroni corrections.

resultsOf 918 adults, 11% were familiar with the Damon system. Among Damon appliance-aware respondents, 64.4% believed it was superior to traditional braces. Around 56.4% thought it required fewer visits, and 49.5% believed treatment time was shorter, though many were neutral or uncertain. Regarding tooth extraction needs, 43.6% agreed it required lower needs, while 48.5% believed it causes less discomfort. About 46.5% agreed it was easier to maintain oral hygiene, and 54.5% thought it provided better esthetic results. Notably, 52.5% mistakenly believed it was cheaper than traditional braces. However, no major association was found between socio-demographics and Damon appliance knowledge, but females were more likely to perceive it as superior (P = .012).

conclusionsThis study highlighted the dissimilarities between public perception and scientific evidence regarding the Damon system. These mixed findings suggest a need for guidelines in orthodontic advertising to prevent potential misinformation. Providing the public with reliable, evidence-based information is crucial for supporting informed decision-making in orthodontic care.