Early dietary limitations, pain intensity, and oral healthrelated quality of life in patients treated with clear aligners versus fixed appliances: a prospective clinical study.

This article focuses on a prospective clinical study comparing early dietary limitations, pain intensity, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in orthodontic patients treated with clear aligners versus fixed appliances. The study enrolled 37 patients undergoing non-extraction comprehensive orthodontic treatment and assessed OHRQoL, psychological factors, pain intensity, and dietary changes over the first two months of treatment. Results showed that while both groups experienced significant improvements in OHRQoL, patients with fixed appliances reported more frequent dietary limitations during the first 4 days after bonding, despite no significant differences in pain intensity or psychological distress; these dietary differences were not sustained at 1- and 2-month follow-ups. The findings suggest that early diet-related impacts differ by appliance type but are transient and not directly linked to pain or emotional factors, highlighting the importance of longitudinal and multidimensional assessment in orthodontic care.