Patients’ Perceptions To Reduced Orthodontic Treatment Time In Saudi Arabia

PURPOSE: To evaluate patients’ perceptions regarding orthodontic treatment duration, cost, and willingness to undergo different procedures and techniques available to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement in Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia from January to March 2019. Patients from multiple centers were electronically surveyed regarding their perception of orthodontic treatment duration, acceptance of appliances and techniques available to shorten the duration of orthodontic treatment, and how much increase in fees they were willing to pay for those appliances and techniques. Descriptive and group comparison statistics were conducted, and the significance level was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The response rate was 200/400 (50%): 50.5% were (>18–25 years old), 67.5% female, 80% Saudi, 67.5% self-pay and 52% with annual income <10,000 SR. A total of 83% of the participants agree that orthodontic treatment takes too long, and 55.5% wish it takes less than 6 months. The preferences for additional procedures were ranked in the following order: customized wires ranked 1 by 52.5%, followed by FDA (Food & Drug Administration) approved teeth vibrators by 40.5%, FDA approved drug injections by 33.5%, piezocision by 32.5%, and corticotomies by 46% of the participants. No significant differences in ranking between the groups according to age and annual income (p>0.05). 47.5% of the participants were able to pay for additional procedures. An increase in treatment fees was reported for up to (30–40%) for FDA approved teeth vibrators by 59% of the participants, followed by FDA approved drug injections by 33% of the participants. A significant difference in responses between the groups was reported according to gender and annual income (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of the patients strongly agreed that orthodontics treatment takes too long. The highest percentages of patients perceived customized wires as the most acceptable technique to undergo to shorten orthodontic treatment duration, followed by teeth vibrators.