Evaluation of Patient Acceptance and Compliance with Clear Aligners vs. Lingual Braces: A Randomized Trial.

Background: The efficacy of orthodontic treatments is often influenced by patient acceptance and compliance. This study aims to compare patient acceptance and compliance between clear aligners and lingual braces in a randomized clinical trial. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients requiring orthodontic treatment were randomly allocated into two groups: clear aligners (n = 50) and lingual braces (n = 50). Data on patient acceptance and compliance were collected through self-reported questionnaires and clinical observations over a period of 12 months. Results: Patient acceptance was significantly higher in the clear aligner group, with 80% reporting high levels of comfort, compared to 60% in the lingual braces group (P < 0.05). Compliance rates were 92% for clear aligners and 85% for lingual braces (P = 0.1). Conclusion: Clear aligners showed a higher level of patient acceptance and a slightly better compliance rate, although the difference was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that clear aligners may be a preferable option for patients prioritizing comfort.

Assessment of Skeletal Maturity in a Sample of the Saudi Population Using Cervical Vertebrae and Frontal Sinus Index: A Cephalometric Study Using Artificial Intelligence.

Aim This study aims to investigate the relationship between the frontal sinus index and different stages of cervical vertebral maturation and to determine whether these measurements can be used as accurate markers for evaluating skeletal maturity. Materials and methods The sample size was 120 subjects, with ages that ranged from 8 to 25 years. Standardized pretreatment digital lateral cephalograms were analyzed. Six groups representing different phases of cervical vertebral maturation were created from the entire sample. Each group had 20 subjects and was split into male and female groups. On the same radiograph, the cervical stages were assessed and the frontal sinus index was calculated. Correlations between the frontal sinus index and cervical vertebral maturation were assessed using statistical analysis. Results Sinus index values, which assess the ratio of frontal sinus dimensions to cervical stages, were found to be comparable between the two adjacent cervical stages. However, the patterns of sinus index values differed between males and females, suggesting potential variations in sinus development between the sexes. Conclusion Frontal sinus height and width were significantly correlated with cervical vertebral maturation stages in both sexes. The frontal sinus index, on the other hand, was not significant.