Adult Patients’ Motivations and Expectations of Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review Protocol

Abstract Background: This is a protocol for a systematic review of the motivations and expectations of adult patients who seek orthodontic treatment. With the continuous improvement of orthodontic technique and rapid innovation of orthodontic appliances, more adults begin to consider orthodontic treatment. Appropriate motivations and realistic expectations play an important role towards a desired goal that are thought to increase patients’ cooperation and achieve satisfaction with treatment outcome. This review aims to assess the motivations and expectations of adult patients who seek orthodontic treatment and investigate how their motivations and expectations affect their satisfaction with treatment outcomes.Methods: A systematic search will be undertaken to map and screen the literature on adult patients’ motivations and expectations of orthodontic treatment and their effects on satisfaction of treatment outcome. Papers written in English or Chinese with no study design restrictions will be included. The study of adolescent patients or patients’ parents, patients with craniofacial hypoplasia and orthodontic treatment combined with orthognathic surgery will be excluded. If quantitative synthesis is possible, a meta-analysis will be conducted. Discussion: This systematic review will identify and gather evidence on adult patients’ motivations and expectations of orthodontic treatment. The method orthodontists obtain and assess adult patients’ motivations and expectations will be discussed. Accurate obtaining and appropriate managing adult patients’ motivations and expectations may increase the cooperation during treatment and satisfaction of the treatment outcome.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020185022