"The Rise of At-Home Teeth Aligners: A Study on Patient Perceptions and Safety" in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Background: The emergence of at-home teeth aligners has transformed orthodontic care by offering affordable, convenient alternatives to traditional braces. However, their growing popularity raises safety concerns due to the absence of direct clinical supervision. Objective: To assess the awareness, perceptions, and experiences of adults in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, regarding at-home teeth aligners and evaluate their safety from the patient's perspective. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 adult residents of Al-Kharj using a structured bilingual questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to assess associations between demographic factors and participant responses. Results: Seventy-five percent of participants had heard of at-home aligners, primarily through social media and advertisements. While cost-effectiveness (30%) and convenience (29.8%) were perceived as advantages, key concerns included lack of professional supervision (32.5%) and improper alignment risks (27.5%). Only 40% considered them a safe alternative to braces. Aligner usage (25%) was limited, with mixed satisfaction levels. No significant associations were found between gender, education, or aligner use and treatment preference. Conclusion: While awareness of at-home aligners is high, safety concerns persist. Most participants prefer traditional orthodontic care, highlighting the need for professional guidance and patient education in direct-to-consumer orthodontic models.