Aim: This survey of Australian orthodontists was conducted to assess treatment preferences.
Methods: Email invitations to participate in an online survey were sent to a total of 433 Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO) members and 158 replies were received (36% response).
Results: For Class II treatment, most practitioners preferred to wait and treat later but when early treatment was performed, the Twin Block was the most popular appliance. For fixed appliance treatment, the 0.022 inch slot was the most commonly used (73%) and the median treatment time was 20 months. The median extraction rate was 23% which was similar to that reported in a 2008 USA survey. Sequential plastic aligners were used by 73% of respondents and Temporary Skeletal Anchorage Devices were used by 77%. The most common research question clinicians would like answered related to retention.
Conclusion: The responses were similar Australia-wide but some areas of difference were revealed and discussed.
