The effect of vestibular, lingual, and aligner appliances on the quality of life of adult patients during the initial stages of orthodontic treatment

BACKGROUND: Patient quality of life (QoL) during orthodontic treatment is an important consideration that requires greater academic investigation as greater focus is placed on enhancing patient experience. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed in three orthodontic appliance groups, i.e., vestibular, lingual, and aligners during the initial stages of treatment. The sample was comprised of 117 adult patient-subjects distributed into 3 groups: vestibular (n = 41), lingual (n = 37), and aligner (n = 39). A WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire surveyed four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment). RESULTS: Mean scores for domain 1, physical health, showed that the aligner group (28.1) had significantly greater scores than that of the vestibular (22.7) or lingual (22) groups. Domain 2, psychological health, demonstrated significant differences (P < 0.001) between all groups, with the aligner group scoring the highest (23.2), followed by the lingual (18.4) and vestibular (15.2) groups. Domain 3, social relationship, showed that aligner (10.9) and lingual (10.2) scores were significantly greater (P < 0.001) than those of the vestibular group (7.8). Domain 4, environment, displayed significant differences between all groups, with the aligner group scoring highest (32.1), followed by the lingual group (29.3), and lastly the vestibular group (26.4). Overall, the highest mean score was obtained by the aligner group (23.1) and the lowest mean score was by the vestibular group (18). The mean domain scores for all three groups were significantly different (P ≤ 0.005) from each other (Table 2). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, patients undergoing Aligner therapy reported the overall highest QoL scores, followed by lingual and vestibular groups.