Randomized clinical trials in orthodontics: reality, dream, or nightmare?
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the highest level in the hierarchy of evidence for treatment effectiveness. However, RCTs have also been criticized for various shortcomings. The purpose of this article was to review the most common criticisms against RCTs and answer them based on the principles of scientific inquiry, so that orthodontists can build their evidence-based practice on the best scientific research. In the era of evidence-based medicine, designing RCTs is the challenge for researchers in orthodontics.
Zuccati
Giliana
G
Private practice, Florence, Italy. gilzuccati@libero.it
Clauser
Carlo
C
Giorgetti
Roberto
R
D018865:Dental Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004990:Ethics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards