Table 1 Characteristics of the research participants

Age (years)

 18–24

28

27.72

(18.99, 36.45)

 25–34

34

33.66

(24.44, 42.88)

 35–44

25

24.75

(16.33, 33.17)

 45–54

8

7.92

(2.65, 13.19)

 55–64

6

5.94

(1.33, 10.55)

Gender

 Male

48

47.52

(37.78, 57.26)

 Female

53

52.48

(42.74, 62.22)

Education level

 Low

Elementary school

4

3.96

(0.16, 7.76)

Secondary school

20

19.8

(12.03, 27.57)

 Average

Diploma degree

11

10.98

(4.88, 17.08)

Bachelor’s degree

54

53.47

(43.74, 63.2)

 High

Master’s degree

9

8.91

(3.35, 14.47)

PhD

3

2.97

(− 0.34, 6.28)

Monthly income (SAR)

 Low

˂ 3000

27

26.73

(18.1, 35.36)

 Average

3000 - 5000

15

14.85

(7.91, 21.79)

5000–10000

39

38.61

(29.12, 48.1)

 High

10000–15000

18

17.82

(10.36, 25.28)

> 15000

2

1.98

(− 0.74, 4.7)

Previous orthodontic treatment

 No

63

62.38

(52.93, 71.83)

 Yes

38

37.62

(28.17, 47.07)

Orthodontic treatment type

 Traditional fixed braces

21

40.38

(30.81, 49.95)

 Removable functional appliance

11

21.15

(13.19, 29.11)

 Lingual braces

1

1.92

(− 0.76, 4.6)

 Clear aligner

5

9.62

(3.87, 15.37)

Orthodontic treatment duration (years)

 ≤ 1

8

21.05

(13.1, 29)

 ≤ 1.5

7

18.42

(10.86, 25.98)

 ≤ 2

17

44.74

(35.04, 54.44)

 ≤ 2.5

4

10.53

(4.54, 16.52)

 ≤ 3

2

5.26

(0.91, 9.61)

Orthodontic information source

 Books and magazines

28

27.72

(18.99, 36.45)

 Orthodontist

21

20.79

(12.88, 28.7)

 Social media platforms

35

34.65

(25.37, 43.93)

 Word of mouth

17

16.83

(9.53, 24.13)