Aligner therapy in adolescents: first-year results on the impact of therapy on oral health-related quality of life and oral hygiene

Objectives The aim of this multicenter clinical study was to examine the oral health-related quality of life and oral hygiene in adolescents before and during aligner therapy. Materials and methods Forty subjects (18 ♀, 22 ♂; mean age: 13.6 years) scheduled for aligner therapy (Invisalign® Teen) were given oral health-related quality of life questionnaires, Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G14) and Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetic Questionnaire (PIDAQ), to complete within their treatment (visit 1: 0 start of therapy; visit 2: 0 + 4 weeks; visit 3: 0 + 10 weeks; visit 4: 0 + 6 months; visit 5: 0 + 1 year). To assess oral hygiene, a questionnaire to take home was used, and plaque level was evaluated with the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (TMQH) modified by Turesky et al. Results The OHIP-G14 mean score before aligner therapy was 3.3 ± 3.2, and 4.9 ± 5.4 after 1 year. The PIDAQ showed a positive psychological change in the well-being, as well as a more effective at-home oral hygiene regime. On average, the TMQH remained at a low level (grade 2 of 0–5). The initial insertion of the aligners caused the most significant changes in all parameters (except TMQH). Conclusion Oral health-related quality of life is only slightly affected during the first year of aligner therapy in adolescents. Oral hygiene at home is intensified and there is no increased dental plaque accumulation. Clinical relevance Dentofacial esthetics is a subset of the so-called Oral H-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) which should be considered more during orthodontic therapy.