Table 3.
Pairwise (two-group) meta-analyses of MD. 95% CIs around heterogeneity estimates and random-effects prediction intervals could not be calculated for meta-analyses with <3 studies.
| Comparison | Outcome | n | MD (95% CI) | P | τ 2 (95% CI) | I 2 (95% CI) | Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aligners vs. fixed appliances | ABO-OGS total post-Tx | 2 | 0.05 (−9.36, 9.46) | .99 | 38.72 | 84% | - |
| ABO-OGS: alignment/rotations | 2 | 0.01 (−1.83, 1.84) | .99 | 1.41 | 80% | - | |
| ABO-OGS: marginal ridges | 2 | 0.64 (−0.07, 1.34) | .07 | 0.14 | 53% | - | |
| ABO-OGS: buccolingual inclination | 2 | 0.35 (−0.17, 0.80) | .19 | 0.03 | 17% | - | |
| ABO-OGS: overjet | 2 | −0.41 (−2.09, 1.28) | .64 | 0.92 | 59% | - | |
| ABO-OGS: occlusal contacts | 2 | 0.58 (−2.50, 3.67) | .71 | 4.70 | 95% | - | |
| ABO-OGS: occlusal relationships | 2 | 0.48 (−0.57, 1.54) | .37 | 0 | 0% | - | |
| ABO-OGS: interproximal contacts | 2 | 0.06 (−0.36, 0.49) | .76 | 0.05 | 16% | - | |
| ABO-OGS: root angulation | 2 | −0.11 (−1.90, 1.69) | .91 | 1.53 | 92% | - | |
| Tx duration | 2 | −0.22 (−5.44, 5.00) | .93 | 11.08 | 78% | - | |
| CAD/CAM vs. prefabricated brackets | PAR post-Tx | 2 | −0.15 (−0.78, 0.48) | .64 | 0 | 0% | - |
| Tx duration | 2 | −1.43 (−5.42, 2.55) | .48 | 7.83 | 95% | - | |
| Skeletal vs. conventional anchorage | PAR post-Tx | 2 | −1.36 (−5.29, 2.57) | .50 | 6.38 | 80% | - |
| PAR reduction | 2 | 1.09 (−3.56, 5.73) | .65 | 0 | 0% | - | |
| Tx duration | 2 | −0.96 (−4.98, 3.07) | .64 | 0 | 0% | - | |
| SL vs. conventionally-ligated brackets | PAR postTx | 3 | 0.23 (−0.92, 1.38) | .70 | 0.49 (0, > 100) | 51% (0%, 86%) | −11.39, 11.85 |
| % PAR reduction | 3 | −0.42 (−2.04, 1.20) | .62 | 0 (0, > 100) | 0% (0%, 90%) | −10.92, 10.09 | |
| Tx duration | 4 | −0.08 (−2.36, 2.21) | .95 | 3.18 (0, 79.10) | 58% (0%, 86%) | −9.24, 9.09 |
ABO, American Board of Orthodontics; CAD/CAM, computer-assisted designed/manufactured; CI, confidence interval; MD, mean difference; OGS, objective grading system; PAR, peer assessment rating; SL, self-ligating; Tx, treatment.