Awareness, Knowledge, And Readiness Regarding Clear Aligner Therapy Among Orthodontic Residents and Orthodontists in Sana’a City

Abstract

Clear aligner therapy has become a common approach in orthodontics, especially among patients who prioritise aesthetic outcomes. However, the success of this treatment depends largely on how well the clinician understands and applies it, and little is known about this topic in Yemen. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness, knowledge, and readiness regarding clear aligner therapy among orthodontic residents and practicing orthodontists in Sana'a. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based design was used, and data were collected from a convenience sample of 270 participants (223 residents and 47 orthodontists) from Sana'a University and the University of Science and Technology. The questionnaire was subjected to content validity assessment prior to data collection. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients. The findings revealed a high level of general awareness, with 96.7% of participants reporting prior knowledge of clear aligners. Nevertheless, notable gaps in clinical knowledge were observed. Only 51.1% of respondents correctly identified the recommended daily wear time of 20–22 hours, and just 41.1% demonstrated a sound understanding of attachment indications. A locally relevant observation was that 71.5% of participants recognised prolonged qat chewing as a contraindication to clear aligner treatment, a finding of particular clinical significance in the Yemeni context. With regard to readiness, the results were less encouraging. A large proportion (75.2%) had never received any formal training related to clear aligners, and 40.7% expressed a lack of confidence in their ability to use this treatment modality. No statistically significant differences were observed between residents and orthodontists in either awareness or readiness. Moreover, the correlation between awareness and readiness was not statistically significant, whereas a weak positive correlation was found between clinical knowledge and readiness (r = 0.26, p < 0.001).In conclusion, these findings highlight a clear gap between general awareness and actual clinical competence in clear aligner therapy. This underscores the pressing need to integrate structured, competency-based training into orthodontic residency curricula and continuing professional development programmes, in order to ensure the delivery of safe and effective orthodontic care to patients in Yemen.