Orthognathic Surgery With Clear Aligners vs Conventional Brackets

Perioperative Outcomes in Orthognathic Surgery With Clear Aligners Versus Conventional Brackets: A Retrospective Comparative Study

This retrospective single-center observational study compared perioperative and early postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery after orthodontic preparation with either conventional fixed brackets or clear aligners. The objective was to assess whether aligner-based preparation was associated with differences in intraoperative occlusal management, including fixation stability, technical difficulties, need for additional intraoperative adaptations, and early occlusal outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing orthognathic surgery at the study center during the study period.
• Orthodontic preparation with either conventional fixed brackets or clear aligners.
• Age 16 years or older.
• Available perioperative clinical records and required imaging data.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Missing perioperative data required for the analysis.
• Missing preoperative or postoperative imaging required for assessment.
• Explicit opposition to the reuse of data, if applicable.
• Syndromic conditions.
• Cleft-related deformities.
• Distraction osteogenesis.
• Secondary surgery.
• Follow-up < 6 months.