Peruvian adolescent preferences and acceptability of orthodontic fixed appliances

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the preference and acceptability of six different orthodontic fixed appliance designs in Peruvian adolescents from two schools in Lima. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was executed. A total of 140 adolescents aged between 10 and 16 years completed a registration form in which the preference, acceptability, order of preference and acceptability to use were evaluated on six different designs of fixed orthodontic appliances displayed in a photo album. Results: Data analysis was performed using the SPSS program version 24.0. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as a level for significance. Due to the nature of the variables the Chi square test was used. Adolescents preferred metal brackets with colored elastomeric modules and steel arch (24.3%, n= 34); and the acceptability was 92.1%. For the order of preference, the following hierarchy was found from the first to the sixth place: metal brackets with colored elastomeric modules and steel archwire > sapphire brackets with transparent elastomeric modules and aesthetic archwire > metal brackets with transparent elastomeric modules and steel archwire > sapphire brackets with transparent elastomeric modules and steel archwire > sapphire brackets with colored elastomeric modules and steel archwire > self-ligating metal brackets and steel archwire/sapphire brackets with colored elastomeric modules and steel archwire. A statistically significant association was found for some questions about acceptability to use in relation to the age group, sex and educational institution. Conclusions: Adolescents preferred metallic brackets with colored elastomeric modules and steel arches. The less preferred appliances were the self-ligating metallic brackets with steel archwire and the sapphire brackets with colored elastomeric modules and steel archwire.