ArticleBMC oral health2025
How clinical experience shapes Turkish orthodontists' approaches to clear aligner treatment: a cross-sectional survey.
Article in BMC oral health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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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.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Pediatric mainstream clear-aligner early orthodontic orders in Guangdong public tertiary hospitals: service patterns, service-duration tiers and order conversion.BMC oral health · 2026Observational
- Clinical trends and utilization of clear aligner therapy among specialist orthodontists in Iran.Frontiers in oral health · 2026Article
- Clear aligner therapy among orthodontists in Turkey: practice patterns and comparison with previously reported Iranian findings.Frontiers in dental medicine · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThis study aimed to investigate how orthodontists' clinical experience influences their treatment preferences and clinical strategies in clear aligner therapy (CAT). CAT has become increasingly widespread in contemporary orthodontic practice, largely due to its aesthetic appeal and the enhanced comfort it offers to patients, making it a preferred option among both orthodontists and patients. The reasons for the preference of CAT and the manner in which it is applied can vary significantly between orthodontists, especially in complex cases. The study was designed based on the assumption that one possible reason for these differences is the varying levels of clinical expertise among orthodontists.
methodsA cross-sectional original, validated questionnaire was distributed to orthodontists in Türkiye. The questionnaire consisted of four main sections: (1) demographic information, (2) management of CAT, including clinical experience and clinical protocols, (3) types of patients treated and/or managed with CAT, and (4) perspectives of orthodontists who do not use CAT. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests with effect sizes to explore associations between clinical experience and treatment-related variables.
resultsA total of 338 orthodontists completed the survey (response rate: 14.1%). Mild-to-moderate crowding was the most frequently treated condition. More experienced orthodontists reported significantly greater use of CAT in complex cases, including extractions and skeletal discrepancies. Clinical experience was also significantly associated with the use of adjunctive techniques, refinement frequency, and awareness of CAT limitations. Distalization was perceived as the most predictable advantage of CAT over fixed appliances, regardless of experience. Patient compliance was considered the most critical factor for success, whereas aligner brand had minimal impact.
conclusionsClinical experience appears to play a critical role in shaping orthodontists' treatment decisions regarding CAT. Greater clinical exposure and structured training may expand orthodontists' ability to manage complex malocclusions effectively with CAT, underscoring the importance of continued education and experience-based proficiency in achieving predictable and optimal outcomes.
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