Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40909053›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Perceptions and Practices of Pediatric Dentists on Clear Aligner Therapy in Mixed Dentition: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Amirdha Shahithya, Kavitha Swaminathan, Jagadheeswari Ramamoorthy, K C Vignesh, Vivek K, Selvakumar Haridoss

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Amirdha ShahithyaDentistry, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND.
Kavitha SwaminathanPediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND.
Jagadheeswari RamamoorthyPediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND.
K C VigneshPediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND.
Vivek KPediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND.
Selvakumar HaridossPediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction Clear aligners have gained traction in pediatric orthodontics due to their aesthetic and hygienic advantages. However, their applicability and effectiveness in mixed dentition remain underexplored. This study aims to assess the pediatric dentists' perceptions, practices, and challenges associated with clear aligner therapy in mixed dentition. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 pediatric dentists in India using a validated 17-item online questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed demographic data, clinical experiences, perceived benefits, challenges, and future intent regarding clear aligner use. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to evaluate associations between clinical experience and aligner-related practices. Results Among the 300 respondents, 63.9% had never used clear aligners in mixed dentition, and 61.1% expressed probable future use. Better aesthetics (69.4%) and improved hygiene (55.6%) were the most cited benefits. Major challenges included high cost (19.4%) and difficulty in managing erupting teeth (13.9%). No significant association was found between the dentist's years of experience and previous (p=0.0917) or future use of aligners (p=0.434). Conclusion Pediatric dentists perceive clear aligners as a moderately effective tool during mixed dentition, with parental demand and aesthetic benefits driving interest. However, limitations related to cost, compliance, and control of tooth movement warrant further longitudinal and outcome-based studies before routine adoption.

Indexed as

aesthetic dentistryaligner therapyclear alignersclinical perceptioninterceptive orthodonticsmixed dentitionorthodontic treatmentpediatric dentistrysurvey-based studytooth movement

Identifiers

PMID40909053
PMCPMC12405956

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.