Comparative use of Invisalign by orthodontists and general practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that there is no difference in the use of Invisalign between orthodontists and general practitioners.


METHODS
A questionnaire was mailed to all Invisalign providers within a 35-mile radius of Stony Brook University. The answers were statistically analyzed. The level of significance was set at P < .05.


RESULTS
Orthodontists started more Invisalign cases (P < .0001). General practitioners started more Invisalign cases in the last 12 months (P = .0012). For both groups, the percentage of cases started in the last 12 months was inversely related to the number of years certified in Invisalign (P < .0001). Significant differences in opinion (P < .001) were noted between orthodontists and general practitioners regarding the level of experience necessary to treat a Class I malocclusion with a large diastema, and whether a Class II subdivision case should be treated with Invisalign.


CONCLUSIONS
The hypothesis is rejected. The use of Invisalign by orthodontists and general practitioners was compared, and significant differences were found.
Vicéns
José
J
Private practice, Humacao, Puerto Rico.
Russo
Antonino
A
D002568:Certification; D003970:Diastema / Q000628:therapy; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I / Q000628:therapy; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000628:therapy; D009518:New York; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000193:education; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*