Evaluation of Removable Appliances and Clear Aligners in Early Orthodontic Treatments During the Mixed Dentition Period

Neslihan Atmaca24 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to compare two different orthodontic treatment modalities-clear aligners and removable appliances-in children aged 6 to 12 years during the mixed dentition period. The primary focus of the research is to evaluate treatment-related changes in oral hygiene status, oral health-related quality of life, pain and anxiety levels, and speech function. By assessing multiple dimensions associated with early orthodontic intervention, the study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how different appliance types influence clinical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes in pediatric patients. Detailed Description The mixed dentition period, occurring approximately between the ages of 6 and 12, represents a transitional developmental stage during which primary and permanent teeth coexist. In this phase, early diagnosis and treatment of orthodontic anomalies are particularly important to support functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial development and to minimize the need for more complex treatment in later stages. Removable orthodontic appliances have traditionally been used to guide dental arch development, correct minor malocclusions, and eliminate harmful oral habits. Advances in digital technology have introduced clear aligners as an alternative treatment option that offers aesthetic and removable features. Despite their differences in design and material characteristics, both approaches are commonly used during early orthodontic treatment planning. Orthodontic appliances may influence various aspects of oral function, including oral hygiene maintenance, periodontal health, caries risk, pain perception, anxiety levels, and speech performance. In growing children, treatment experiences may additionally shape cooperation, adaptation, and overall quality of life. Therefore, evaluating orthodontic interventions during the mixed dentition period requires consideration of not only mechanical efficiency but also broader functional and psychosocial parameters. Appliance-related changes in intraoral volume and tongue movement can alter speech production, potentially affecting articulatory patterns and acoustic characteristics. Contemporary acoustic analysis methods, such as the use of specialized speech software, allow the objective measurement of frequency- and time-based acoustic parameters and provide complementary information to clinical observations. This prospective study was designed to investigate how clear aligners and removable appliances influence oral hygiene status, pain and anxiety perception, oral health-related quality of life, and speech performance in children. Through standardized clinical assessments, validated questionnaires, and acoustic analysis, the study aims to generate multidimensional data that may guide clinical decision-making in early orthodontic treatment planning.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Formant frequencies (F1-F4) during speech production

Evaluation of phonation changes during early orthodontic treatment by analysing the first four formant frequencies (F1-F4) obtained from standardized speech recordings. Recordings were collected immediately before appliance placement and on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after appliance insertion. Words selected from a standardized articulation test were read aloud by the participants, and acoustic data were analysed using Praat software to assess treatment-related variations in vowel resonance patterns. Units: Hertz (Hz) Higher values indicate: Changes in vowel resonance characteristics potentially related to treatment-related alterations in oral cavity configuration.