SmartClipTM Self-Ligating Appliance System Treatment Efficiency Survey

Objective: To evaluate treatment times for traditional and self-ligating orthodontic brackets and determine if the use of SmartClipTM Self-Ligating Brackets improve orthodontic treatment efficiency. Methodology: More than 1,000 orthodontic practitioners were surveyed in the United States, Canada and Europe with responses based on their experience using SmartClip Self-Ligating Brackets from 3M Unitek. The survey was completed by 266 participants who responded to how long they have been using SmartClip Brackets; if the use of SmartClip Brackets reduced their average treatment time; how many office visits they have been able to eliminate from their overall treatment time; if they were able to extend the office appointment interval for patients and reduce chair time; and if they observed significant improvements in treatment efficiency. Results: Of the 266 respondents, 86% used SmartClip Brackets for one or more years. Eighty percent responded that the use of SmartClip Brackets reduced their average treatment time, and 62% were able to eliminate three or more office visits from their overall treatment time. For 68% of respondents, office appointment intervals for patients were extended and 79% experienced a reduction in chair time when using SmartClip Brackets. Overall, 70% perceived that they achieved clinically significant improvements in treatment efficiency when using SmartClip Brackets. Conclusion: SmartClip Self-Ligating Brackets provide orthodontists with significant improvements in treatment efficiency through the reduction of average treatment time, elimination of unnecessary office visits, extension of the time between patient appointments, and reduction of patient chair time when compared to traditional ligated brackets.