A Comparative Study between Clear Aligners and Conventional Braces in Orthosurgical Patients: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Orthodontic clear aligners have gained significant popularity due to their aesthetic appeal and efficiency. Although their use as an alternative to traditional braces is well established, their application in orthosurgical patients remains underexplored. This review systematically evaluated clinical studies comparing clear aligners and conventional orthodontic braces in conjunction with orthognathic surgery. Materials and Methods: Searches were conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and VHL databases, with no date or language restrictions. In addition, gray literature (Google Scholar) and manual searches of the references of the selected articles were included. Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The review evaluated the efficacy of both methods, as well as quality of life, stability, periodontal status, and treatment time. The results indicated no significant differences in overall efficacy between clear aligners and conventional braces. However, patients reported a higher quality of life with the aligners. There were no significant differences in other outcomes, suggesting that clear aligners are a viable option for orthognathic surgery patients. Conclusion: This review supports the use of clear aligners in orthognathic surgery patients, although further research is needed to strengthen the evidence base and explore longer-term outcomes.