Title
Psychological effects of orthodontics treatment in adolescent and adults
Authors
Adel Alharbi*
Affiliation
Department of Orthodontic and Paediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia; *Corresponding author
Adel Alharbi - E - mail: ade.alharbi@qu.edu.sa
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received September 1, 2024; Revised September 30, 2024; Accepted September 30, 2024, Published September 30, 2024
Abstract
Orthodontic treatment, primarily using fixed appliances, aims to correct malocclusion and improve dental function, appearance, and psychological well-being. While the psychological effects of orthodontic treatment have been studied, there is limited research directly comparing these effects between adolescents and adults. Hence a cross-sectional design was used to compare the psychological impacts of orthodontic treatment between 100 adolescents (aged 13-17) and 100 adults (aged 26-35). Participants were recruited from orthodontic clinics, with data collection including demographic information and pre- and post-treatment psychological assessments using the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ). Statistical analyses involved unpaired t-tests and chi-square tests to compare outcomes and examine associations between categorical variables. Adolescents showed significant improvements post-treatment, with notable reductions in PIDAQ scores from 44.25 at baseline to 28.90 post-treatment. Similarly, reductions in dental self-confidence (DSC) scores, social impact (SI) scores, and psychological impact (PI) scores were observed. Adults also demonstrated positive changes, with PIDAQ scores decreasing from 38.64 to 32.85, alongside reductions in DSC and SI scores. Although PI scores showed a slight decrease, overall improvements in dental aesthetics and psychosocial aspects were noted. Significant p-values (< 0.001) across all measured parameters highlighted age as a significant factor influencing treatment outcomes. Our study highlights the significant psychosocial benefits of orthodontic treatment across different age groups and cultural settings. Both adolescents and adults experience improvements in self-esteem, social interactions, and overall quality of life post-treatment.
Keywords
Dental aesthetics, orthodontic treatment, psychosocial impact & quality of life
Citation
Alharbi, Bioinformation 20(9): 1196-1199 (2024)
Edited by
P Babaji
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
