The influence of social media on orthodontic treatment decisions: Revolutionizing smiles

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate patient awareness regarding orthodontic-related content circulating on social media platforms and to assess their interest in using social media for orthodontic guidance. DESIGN: A questionnaire-based and cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 participants were surveyed without any age restrictions or exclusion criteria. The questionnaire assessed social media awareness, access, and use, along with patients’ preferences for obtaining orthodontic information online. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 73.3% were aged 18–25 years, while 22.25% were between 26 and 35 years. The primary sources of information about aligner therapy were social media (47%), followed by family and friends (32%) and orthodontist recommendations (29%). Instagram emerged as the most influential platform, followed by YouTube and Facebook. Despite the prevalence of social media content, most participants were uncertain about the influence of influencer videos on their treatment choices, with the majority stating that such content did not directly impact their decision-making. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the significant role of social media, particularly Instagram, in spreading awareness about orthodontic treatments among young adults. However, despite high exposure, influencer-driven content had limited influence on patients’ final treatment decisions. These findings underscore the need for professional orthodontic guidance, fostering collaborative decision-making between patients and orthodontists to ensure informed choices in the evolving digital healthcare landscape.