Original Research

Year : 2025 | Volume : 16 | Issue : 3 | Page : 49-63

Evaluating the Use of Pretreatment Diagnostic Records among Orthodontists in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Doaa H. Alsaggaf 1

1-Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Address for Correspondence:

Doaa H. Alsaggaf, BDS, DScD, ABO-Board Certified

King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry,

Department of Orthodontics, Alsulemaneya,

PO Box 80209, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

Tel: +966 506357194

Email: dalsaggaf@kau.edu.sa

ABSTRACT

Background: Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment planning and achieving successful outcomes in orthodontics. Limited research has explored the use of pretreatment diagnostic records by orthodontists in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic records routinely used by orthodontists in Saudi Arabia and to examine demographic trends influencing their diagnostic practices.

Methods: A computer-based questionnaire was completed by 194 orthodontists practicing in Saudi Arabia. The survey collected demographic information and data on the routine use of diagnostic records including, photographs, panoramic radiographs, lateral cephalograms, full-mouth intraoral radiographs, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, conventional study models, and digital models. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize response frequencies. Demographic variations in diagnostic record utilization were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests with Holm-Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons.

Results: The most frequently used diagnostic records among participating orthodontists were photographs and panoramic radiographs, reported by 94.3% of respondents. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were used by 91.2% and CBCT was utilized by 10.8%. Conventional study models were employed by 66.5% of orthodontists, while 25.3% used digital models. Significant demographic differences were observed, particularly in the type of study models used. More experienced orthodontists were significantly more likely to use digital study models (P = 0.01), as were orthodontists practicing exclusively in private practice (P = 0.003), and those in urban areas (P = 0.003).

Conclusion: Photographs, panoramic radiographs, and lateral cephalograms were the most frequently used diagnostic records. The use of digital study models remains emerging. Orthodontists’ demographics appear to influence their diagnostic record selection. This study provides valuable baseline data on the diagnostic practices of orthodontists in Saudi Arabia and offers a reference point for future longitudinal studies and international comparisons.

Keywords: Orthodontics; Diagnosis; Demographics; Dental Records; Treatment Planning; Survey.

SOURCE OF FUNDING

No funding was received for the study.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The author has no conflict of interest to declare.
How to cite this article: Doaa H. Alsaggaf. Evaluating the Use of Pretreatment Diagnostic Records among Orthodontists in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2025; 16 (3): 49-63.

Doi: 10.56501/Intjorthodrehabil.v16i3.ijor0008