KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF GENERAL PUBLIC IN KSA ABOUT PERIODONTAL DISEASE WITH INVISALIGN TREATMENT

Abstract

Introduction: In 1999 Invisalign was showed off and become remarkable to management a different type of malocclusions. Invisalign treatment may complicate the health of periodontal tissue due to accumulation of bacteria and toxins in oral biofilm. This study aimed to assessed the level of knowledge and awareness among the general public in KSA toward the influence of Invisalign treatment on periodontal health to promote the oral preventive care and improving the patient education. Objectives: to determine knowledge and awareness levels of periodontal disease with Invisalign treatment among general public in KSA. Methodology: The cross-sectional study is going to take place in Saudi Arabia from July to December 2024. A sample recruiting strategy was on social media apps to find people from all around Saudi Arabia. We have included Saudi population males and females who use Invisalign treatment (clear aligners). Sample size was determined that 385 was the sample size with an indicator percentage of 0.50, a margin of error of 5%, and a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. Results: The study investigated the knowledge and awareness of the general public in Saudi Arabia regarding periodontal disease in relation to Invisalign treatment, surveying 1,066 participants. Results revealed a predominantly young demographic (60.5% aged 23-30) with a notable gender imbalance (60.4% female). Awareness of Invisalign was high (70.7%), yet only 29.1% understood its application. Alarmingly, 63.8% were unaware of potential adverse effects like swollen gums, and 69% believed Invisalign does not initiate periodontal issues. While 46.2% exhibited high knowledge of periodontal health in orthodontic care, 57.4% demonstrated low awareness. The findings underscore a critical need for educational outreach tailored to demographic factors. Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings of this study underscore significant deficiencies in public knowledge and awareness regarding periodontal disease and Invisalign treatment among the population in Saudi Arabia.