How frequently should we see our orthodontic patients?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of different appointment intervals on treatment time in patients receiving orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances
IRAS ID
169262
Contact name
Fraser McDonald
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 28 days
Research summary
Fixed orthodontic braces are routinely used to straighten teeth and correct the bite of individuals. Once the braces are fit, the patient is recalled every few weeks to adjust or tighten the brace. Although convention states that the patient returns every 6-8 weeks to have the brace adjusted, there is no consensus or evidence to support a specific timeframe. Indeed some orthodontist see their patients as frequently as every 4 weeks and others as long as every 10 weeks. The aim of this investigation is to determine whether the amount of time between brace adjustment appointments has an effect on the overall treatment time. Knowing which appointment interval will lead to the shortest overall treatment time will be of benefit to patients as prolonged orthodontic treatment may be associated with an increased incidence of adverse effects associated with orthodontic treatment. \n\nPatients who are to be treated with fixed orthodontic braces at will be invited to take part in the study. Consenting subjects will be randomly allocated into one of four groups. The first will be seen to adjust their brace every 4 weeks, the second group every 6 weeks, the third group every 8 weeks and the fourth group every 10 weeks. \n\nThe primary outcome measure is the total treatment time. The mean treatment time of each of the four groups will be compared to establish whether or not treatment appointment intervals affects treatment time.\n\nSecondary outcome measures will include difference in number of appointments required throughout the course of treatment between groups, differences in treatment outcomes, differences in patient compliance. \n
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0522
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion