Civil liability of orthodontists and aligner manufacturers in the treatment with orthodontic aligners

ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of clear aligners as an alternative to fixed orthodontic appliances has become popular due to the aesthetic demands of adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment. However, orthodontists’ lack of knowledge about the legal consequences of their activities, and the lac...

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Main Authors: Isabela Sales PINHEIRO, Cleverson Raymundo Sbarzi GUEDES, Analina Braga APOLINÁRIO, Fernanda Ramos de FARIA, Sergio Luiz MOTA JÚNIOR, Matheus Melo PHITON, Marcio José da Silva CAMPOS, Robert Willer Farinazzo VITRAL
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dental Press Editora 2024-02-01
Series:Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2176-94512024000100500&tlng=en
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author Isabela Sales PINHEIRO
Cleverson Raymundo Sbarzi GUEDES
Analina Braga APOLINÁRIO
Fernanda Ramos de FARIA
Sergio Luiz MOTA JÚNIOR
Matheus Melo PHITON
Marcio José da Silva CAMPOS
Robert Willer Farinazzo VITRAL
author_facet Isabela Sales PINHEIRO
Cleverson Raymundo Sbarzi GUEDES
Analina Braga APOLINÁRIO
Fernanda Ramos de FARIA
Sergio Luiz MOTA JÚNIOR
Matheus Melo PHITON
Marcio José da Silva CAMPOS
Robert Willer Farinazzo VITRAL
author_sort Isabela Sales PINHEIRO
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of clear aligners as an alternative to fixed orthodontic appliances has become popular due to the aesthetic demands of adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment. However, orthodontists’ lack of knowledge about the legal consequences of their activities, and the lack of solid scientific evidence raise concerns regarding civil liability in this type of treatment. Marketing campaigns of manufacturing companies often exaggerate promises of results, and ignore the lack of scientific evidence. Patients, as consumers, are protected by the Consumer Protection Code, whereas orthodontists are considered treatment providers. Therefore, they can be held liable for damage caused to patients, whether by subjective or objective fault. Objective: This article aims to identify the civil responsibilities of orthodontists and aligner manufacturing companies, by means of a literature review, providing basic legal guidance to help professionals protect themselves from possible lawsuits related to treatment with orthodontic aligners. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of knowledge of legal notions in treatments with orthodontic aligners by orthodontists, who should legally safeguard themselves through individual written contracts, avoiding obligation of results. In addition, in cases of legal claims, it is possible that the manufacturing companies are jointly and severally liable for possible damages claimed by the patient.
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spelling doaj.art-5752772d8c854413a9ba280369604b642024-02-20T07:36:58ZengDental Press EditoraDental Press Journal of Orthodontics2177-67092024-02-0129110.1590/2177-6709.29.1.e24spe1Civil liability of orthodontists and aligner manufacturers in the treatment with orthodontic alignersIsabela Sales PINHEIROhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-6105-2588Cleverson Raymundo Sbarzi GUEDEShttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4710-8556Analina Braga APOLINÁRIOhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3866-7882Fernanda Ramos de FARIAhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6834-2862Sergio Luiz MOTA JÚNIORhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3601-8264Matheus Melo PHITONhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8418-4139Marcio José da Silva CAMPOShttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3217-9001Robert Willer Farinazzo VITRALhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0861-7243ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of clear aligners as an alternative to fixed orthodontic appliances has become popular due to the aesthetic demands of adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment. However, orthodontists’ lack of knowledge about the legal consequences of their activities, and the lack of solid scientific evidence raise concerns regarding civil liability in this type of treatment. Marketing campaigns of manufacturing companies often exaggerate promises of results, and ignore the lack of scientific evidence. Patients, as consumers, are protected by the Consumer Protection Code, whereas orthodontists are considered treatment providers. Therefore, they can be held liable for damage caused to patients, whether by subjective or objective fault. Objective: This article aims to identify the civil responsibilities of orthodontists and aligner manufacturing companies, by means of a literature review, providing basic legal guidance to help professionals protect themselves from possible lawsuits related to treatment with orthodontic aligners. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of knowledge of legal notions in treatments with orthodontic aligners by orthodontists, who should legally safeguard themselves through individual written contracts, avoiding obligation of results. In addition, in cases of legal claims, it is possible that the manufacturing companies are jointly and severally liable for possible damages claimed by the patient.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2176-94512024000100500&tlng=enCivil liabilityAlignersInvisible aligners
spellingShingle Isabela Sales PINHEIRO
Cleverson Raymundo Sbarzi GUEDES
Analina Braga APOLINÁRIO
Fernanda Ramos de FARIA
Sergio Luiz MOTA JÚNIOR
Matheus Melo PHITON
Marcio José da Silva CAMPOS
Robert Willer Farinazzo VITRAL
Civil liability of orthodontists and aligner manufacturers in the treatment with orthodontic aligners
Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics
Civil liability
Aligners
Invisible aligners
title Civil liability of orthodontists and aligner manufacturers in the treatment with orthodontic aligners
title_full Civil liability of orthodontists and aligner manufacturers in the treatment with orthodontic aligners
title_fullStr Civil liability of orthodontists and aligner manufacturers in the treatment with orthodontic aligners
title_full_unstemmed Civil liability of orthodontists and aligner manufacturers in the treatment with orthodontic aligners
title_short Civil liability of orthodontists and aligner manufacturers in the treatment with orthodontic aligners
title_sort civil liability of orthodontists and aligner manufacturers in the treatment with orthodontic aligners
topic Civil liability
Aligners
Invisible aligners
url http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2176-94512024000100500&tlng=en
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