Knowledge of clear aligner therapy in orthodontics among dental practitioners in Benin city, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Clear aligners have been used in orthodontics since 1946 when Dr Harold Kesling introduced the use of a series of thermoplastic tooth positioners to obtain tooth alignment.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of clear aligner therapy among dental practitioners in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among Dental practitioners in Benin City, Nigeria. The study population consisted of Dental practitioners in both private and government hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria. Twenty-nine (59.2%) were dental officers, while 20 (40.8%) were dental resident doctors of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, giving a total population of 49. The study instrument was a self-administered questionnaire. Data was computed and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 software. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.

Results: Forty- nine (49) respondents constituted the study participants. The mean age of the study participants was 34.14±4.3 years. Majority of the respondents know about clear aligners. The resident doctors had a higher population of knowledge of clear aligners (95.0%), but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Majority of the respondents believe that clear aligners cannot correct all types of malocclusion.

Conclusion: This study carried out among dental practitioners in a Nigerian population showed that majority of them know about clear aligners, and most of them got the information from friends.