Women’s experience following orthodontic treatment with conventional fixed appliances and clear aligners: A qualitative study
- 1Department of Morphology and Pediatric Clinic, São Paulo State University-UNESP, School of Dentistry, Araraquara, Brazil.
- 2Department of Health Sciences and Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Piracicaba School of Dentistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
- 3Institute of Dentistry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Abstract
This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of female patients following completion of orthodontic treatment with conventional fixed appliances and clear aligners. It used a clinical qualitative design with, semi-structured interviews featuring open-ended questions. Participants were recruited from private orthodontic practices, and the sample size was determined by data saturation. The final group included six patients treated with conventional fixed appliances and nine patients treated with clear aligners. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis with peer validation of the categories. Seven categories emerged among patients treated with conventional fixed appliances: pain, discomfort, and hygiene difficulties; daily adaptations and restrictions; confidence in the professional; treatment duration; insecurity or embarrassment; desire to improve appearance; and satisfaction with treatment outcomes. For patients treated with clear aligners, seven categories were identified: practicality, comfort and hygiene; pain and discomfort related to use; treatment duration; willingness to recommend aligners; desire to improve appearance and appliance discretion; recommendation by the professional; and satisfaction. The findings show that, although patients with fixed appliances faced several challenges during treatment, aesthetic improvement was the main reason for seeking care, and overall satisfaction with the results was high. Patients who chose clear aligners aimed to avoid common limitations of fixed appliances and emphasized benefits related to comfort, convenience, oral hygiene, and discretion. These results highlight the importance of qualitative methods for understanding patient perspectives and can guide clinical communication and shared decision-making in adult orthodontic treatment.
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BibTeX
@article{lucarelli2026womens,
title = {{Women’s experience following orthodontic treatment with conventional fixed appliances and clear aligners: A qualitative study}},
author = {Nicolle San Nicolas Dubrull Lia Lucarelli and Gabriela Gonçalves Innocente and Pedro Augusto Thiene Leme and Luana Paz Sampaio and Luiz Gonzaga Gandini Junior and Silvia Amélia Scudeler Vedovello and Lucas Arrais Campos and Carolina Carmo de Menezes},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0359709},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359709},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Women’s experience following orthodontic treatment with conventional fixed appliances and clear aligners: A qualitative study
AU - Nicolle San Nicolas Dubrull Lia Lucarelli
AU - Gabriela Gonçalves Innocente
AU - Pedro Augusto Thiene Leme
AU - Luana Paz Sampaio
AU - Luiz Gonzaga Gandini Junior
AU - Silvia Amélia Scudeler Vedovello
AU - Lucas Arrais Campos
AU - Carolina Carmo de Menezes
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0359709
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359709
AB - This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of female patients following completion of orthodontic treatment with conventional fixed appliances and clear aligners. It used a clinical qualitative design with, semi-structured interviews featuring open-ended questions. Participants were recruited from private orthodontic practices, and the sample size was determined by data saturation. The final group included six patients treated with conventional fixed appliances and nine patients treated with clear aligners. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis with peer validation of the categories. Seven categories emerged among patients treated with conventional fixed appliances: pain, discomfort, and hygiene difficulties; daily adaptations and restrictions; confidence in the professional; treatment duration; insecurity or embarrassment; desire to improve appearance; and satisfaction with treatment outcomes. For patients treated with clear aligners, seven categories were identified: practicality, comfort and hygiene; pain and discomfort related to use; treatment duration; willingness to recommend aligners; desire to improve appearance and appliance discretion; recommendation by the professional; and satisfaction. The findings show that, although patients with fixed appliances faced several challenges during treatment, aesthetic improvement was the main reason for seeking care, and overall satisfaction with the results was high. Patients who chose clear aligners aimed to avoid common limitations of fixed appliances and emphasized benefits related to comfort, convenience, oral hygiene, and discretion. These results highlight the importance of qualitative methods for understanding patient perspectives and can guide clinical communication and shared decision-making in adult orthodontic treatment.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -