Perception of treatments with self-ligating and conventional brackets in peruvian orthodontists

Orthodontists' perception of bracket techniques plays a significant role in planning, allowing critical evaluation of the patient's facial aesthetics. To compare the perception of Peruvian orthodontists regarding treatments with self-ligating and conventional brackets. A questionnaire was applied to 168 orthodontic specialists (53% men, average professional experience 9 years) to evaluate preferences for treatment phases, benefits of patient consultation according to the type of bracket, experience with self-ligating brackets, and demographic and clinical characteristics (sex, years of experience, volume of care and length of experience). The Kruskal-Wallis Test and Chi-square test were used with P < 0.05. The total preference for self-ligating brackets (48.9%) was higher than conventional brackets (18.8%). Self-ligating brackets were preferred in most treatment phases (46.4%-63.7%) but not in completion and finishing, in which conventional brackets were preferred. Most orthodontists preferred self-ligating brackets (40.5%-60.7%) over conventional brackets (4.2%-14.3%) due to patient comfort, oral hygiene, and total treatment and appointment time control, but not the cost. The orthodontists reported SLB having mastered their technique in