Survey of oral health-related quality of life among skeletal malocclusion patients following orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery

Measurement of quality of life in orthognathic surgery using an original questionnaire: About a series of 123 cases

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to measure changes in the quality of life of patients who had orthognathic surgery using an original questionnaire, designed for this purpose.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This single-center retrospective study included all patients who had orthognathic surgery in our center between 2014 and 2019. An original questionnaire comprising 13 items in 4 domains was sent to patients postoperatively by email after telephone contact and obtaining their consent. Items were scored on a 5-point scale ranging from (-1), worse than before surgery, to (+3), better than before surgery.

RESULTS

All data were collected in a standardized way. In total, 123 patients responded. The mean score for all surgeries combined was +1.14, indicating an improvement in QOL considered to be "low to moderate". A total of 118 patients (95.9%) reported an improvement following surgery, including 18 patients (14.6%) who reported a marked improvement. The greatest improvement was observed for psychosocial aspects and morphology.

CONCLUSION

This study shows a positive effect of orthognathic surgery on patients' QOL, including self-perception, relationships with others, or functional aspects as mastication and breathing. We propose an original tool that is easy to use by patients to measure quality of life following orthognathic surgery.

Einfluss der Dauer kieferorthopädischer Behandlung auf das subjektive Empfinden der mundgesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität

Hintergrund Aufgrund der aktuell noch geringen Datenlage war es Ziel dieser Studie, den Einfluss der Dauer einer kieferorthopädischen Behandlung auf die mundgesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität (MLQ) zu untersuchen.

Methode Die beobachtende, prospektive Längsschnittstudie erfolgte mit der deutschen Basisversion des Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G14) im Zeitraum von 2008–2018. Die MLQ wurde zu drei Zeitpunkten (T1, T2, T3) bei 598 Patient*innen innerhalb ihrer kieferorthopädischen Behandlung erhoben und die Ergebnisse statistisch analysiert. Ein durchschnittlicher Anstieg (∆OHIP-G14) von>2,00 Punkten wurde als klinisch relevant (Minimal Important Difference, MID) und Zeichen einer herabgesetzten mundgesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität definiert.

Ergebnisse Von initial 598 eingeschlossenen Patient*innen füllten 79 ProbandInnen die Fragebögen zu allen drei Zeitpunkten vollständig aus und konnten in die Studie aufgenommen werden. Das Durchschnittsalter lag zu Beginn der Behandlung bei 11,5 Jahren (SD=3,3), am Ende der Behandlung bei 16,3 Jahren (SD=3,1). Die durchschnittliche Behandlungsdauer betrug 4,7 Jahre (SD=2,3). Ein Vergleich der erreichten Summenwerte zu den Zeitpunkten T1, T2, T3 der ernannten Subgruppen (Geschlechter, Altersgruppen, Behandlungsapparatur und -zeitraum) untereinander zeigte in keiner der Gruppen signifikante Unterschiede (Mann-Whitney-U-Test, Kruskal-Wallis-Test, Chi-Quadrat-Test p<0,05). Ein Vergleich der Gesamtwerte der jeweiligen Zeitpunkte zeigte eine klinisch (∆OHIP-G14>2,00) und statistisch signifikante Abnahme der MLQ während der initialen Behandlungsphase (T1 vs. T2, p<0,001). Die Verbesserung der MLQ am Ende der Behandlung (T2 vs. T3) war statistisch nicht signifikant (p=0,128) und hatte keine klinische Auswirkung (MID ∆OHIP-G14<2,00). Weitere Analysen der Behandlungsdauer und der OHIP-Summenwerte ergaben zu keinem Zeitpunkt signifikante Abhängigkeit oder Korrelation zwischen Behandlungsdauer und MLQ (β2=− 0,078, β3=0,191, multiple lineare Regression, p=0,05; r2=0,073, r3=0,103, Spearman Korrelation, p=0,05).

Schlussfolgerung Im Vergleich zu T1 war die MLQ während der Behandlung sowohl zu T2 als auch T3 leicht herabgesetzt. Es kann jedoch festgestellt werden, dass der Durchschnitt der erhobenen Summenwerte zu allen drei Zeitpunkten der Befragung (T1, T2 und T3) im Normbereich der gesunden Allgemeinbevölkerung lag. Hinsichtlich der Kernfrage dieser Studie konnte kein Zusammenhang zwischen Behandlungsdauer und MLQ gezeigt werden. Das Anstreben eines guten Behandlungsergebnisses im Rahmen einer differenzierten kieferorthopädischen Therapie sollte daher nach Möglichkeit einem raschen Abschluss der Behandlung vorangestellt werden.

Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life and Anxiety in Orthodontic Patients with Conventional Brackets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and anxiety levels of adult patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed multibracket appliances.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was carried out at the Dental Clinic of the University of Salamanca in 2021. It included 120 adult patients between 19 and 45 years of age undergoing orthodontic treatment with conventional metal brackets. The data collection instruments chosen were the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) to assess anxiety levels and the OHIP-14 questionnaire to measure the OHRQoL. Anxiety levels and OHRQoL were analyzed one month after starting treatment.

RESULTS

The mean age was 31.7 years ± 6.5 years; 68 patients were women (56.7%) and 52 were men (43.3%). Psychological disability was the dimension of the OHIP-14 questionnaire that was found to have the greatest impact (3.20 ± 1.08) on patients, as compared to the dimension of disability, which had the lowest impact on the oral-health quality of life (0.37 ± 0.56). The mean total score of the OHIP-14 questionnaire was 11.93 (±2.19). There was no statistically significant influence from either sex or age on the anxiety and oral-health quality of life of the participants; however, there was a significant relationship between the dimensions of physical disability and anxiety traits.

CONCLUSIONS

The physical disability dimension of the OHIP-14 questionnaire increased the anxiety level of adult patients treated with conventional brackets. The impact of orthodontic treatment on adult patients may negatively influence their levels of anxiety.

Development of an oral health-related quality of life questionnaire on neurosensory disturbances after orthognathic surgery - a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

Development of a new questionnaire, Oral Health-Related Quality of Life - Neurosensory Disturbances after Orthognathic Surgery (OHRQL-NDO), designed to measure the effects of neurosensory disturbance (NSD) on patients' oral health-related quality of life (OHRQL) and to evaluate reliability and validity of this questionnaire.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire including 11 items was constructed. Thirty patients with NSD affecting the lower lip and/or chin following orthognathic surgery were included. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing OHRQL-NDO with OHIP-14 and two global questions. Test-retest reliability was assessed by asking the patients to complete OHRQL-NDO at two different occasions with an interval of two to three weeks.

RESULTS

The internal consistency, measured with Cronbach's alpha, was 0.84. The test-retest reliability, measured with ICC, was 0.89 (95% CI 0.77-0.95). The correlation between the mean sum score for the OHRQL-NDO and the mean sum score for the OHIP-14 was r = 0.75, using Pearson correlation coefficient. The correlations between the mean total score for the OHRQL-NDO and the global questions 1 and 2 were r = 0.74 and r = 0.72, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The current instrument OHRQL-NDO is a promising test, but needs further development to better capture the different aspects of OHRQL. Further tests of the questionnaire must follow in other samples to finalize the instrument.

Do the stages of orthodontic-surgical treatment affect patients' quality of life and self-esteem?

The orthodontic-surgical treatment comprises different stages from diagnosis to final soft tissue accommodation, but there are no data regarding the patient's perception during these phases. This study aimed to investigate the impact of these stages on quality of life and self-esteem of patients with dentofacial deformity. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the treatment stage: initial orthodontic pre-treatment (1), one week before surgery (2), three months after surgery (3), and after the removal of the orthodontic appliance (4) (n = 20 / group). They filled the following questionnaires: Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Data were evaluated by Kruskal-Wallis test. Differences among groups were noticed in all evaluated scales (p = 0.001 for all). No statistically significant differences between patients in groups 1 and 2 (OHIP, OQLQ, and RSES, p >0.05 for all), while patients at group 4 presented different scores in all questionnaires compared to 1, 2, and 3 (p < 0.05 for all), irrespective of the type of dentofacial deformity (p > 0.05). The results indicate that dental decompensation stage did not negatively affect patient's confidence and well-being. Despite the improvement noticed few months after the orthognathic surgery, the main impact on patient's quality of life and self-esteem was evidenced after the removal of the orthodontic appliance. We highlight the important role of counselling patients to discuss all the treatment stages to clarify patients' subjective expectations before any intervention is carried out.

Comparison of pain perception, anxiety, and impacts on oral health-related quality of life between patients receiving clear aligners and fixed appliances during the initial stage of orthodontic treatment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Clear aligner is an advanced orthodontic method with benefits of comfort, aesthetics, and convenience. This study aimed to compare pain perception, anxiety, and impacts on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) between adult patients receiving clear aligners and fixed appliances during the initial stage of orthodontic treatments.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The two groups were well matched by ages, gender, and levels of malocclusion severity. Pain perception, anxiety, and OHRQoL were assessed through visual analogue scale, state-trait anxiety inventory, and oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14), respectively. And the comparison of above scores was performed by two-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients (55 pairs) were enrolled in this study. Orthodontic pain levels peaked on the first day and decreased gradually afterwards in both groups, which were significantly higher in the fixed group on the first, second, fourth, and fifth days. Likewise, anxiety levels peaked on the first day and decreased thereafter, with significant difference on the 1st, 3d, 5th, 7th, and 14th days. Moreover, the OHIP-14 scores increased and peaked on the first day and then gradually decreased for both groups, which were also significantly higher in the fixed group on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days.

LIMITATIONS

More malocclusion types should be used for group matching. The effect of exclusion of small groups should be taken into consideration in sample size calculation. Income was significantly unbalanced between two groups due to higher cost of clear aligners, and random assignment of treatment modalities was unfeasible.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients treated with clear aligners experienced lower pain levels, less anxiety, and higher OHRQoL as compared to those receiving fixed appliances.

Temporary deterioration of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in nonextraction and extraction modalities of comprehensive orthodontic treatment in adolescents

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of nonextraction and all first premolar extraction modalities of orthodontic treatment on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adolescents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-eight adolescents of aged 12-18 years were chosen. Subjects who required nonextraction orthodontic treatment were included in group I, and those who required all first premolar extractions for orthodontic treatment were included in group II. Baseline OHRQoL data (T0) were recorded before the start of treatment. To evaluate the impact of orthodontic treatment on OHRQoL, the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire was presented to all subjects for retrospective evaluation at 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2), 6 months (T3) and 1 year (T4) after the start of orthodontic treatment and 1 week after completion of orthodontic treatment (T5).

RESULTS

At T1 and T2, the physical pain and physical disability domains of OHIP-14 were impacted significantly by comprehensive orthodontic treatment in both groups (P < .001). The negative impact of orthodontic treatment on OHRQoL was maximum at T1 and then slowly recovered to the pretreatment level at T3 in both groups. Recovery of OHIP-14 scores was relatively faster in group I subjects compared to group II subjects. At T1 and T2, social disability and handicap domains were deteriorated significantly in group II subjects compared to group I subjects (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The severity of OHRQoL deterioration was similar in both modalities of orthodontic treatment, but recovery from negative impacts was relatively slower in the first premolar extraction subjects.

Oral health-related quality of life in orthodontics: a cross-sectional multicentre study on patients in orthodontic treatment

Objective

This study aimed to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in relation to associated covariates in orthodontic patients of different age groups (children, adolescents, and adults) in a cross-sectional study.

Methods

A total of 898 subjects (50.6% females, 49.4% males; mean age 16.89 years) undergoing orthodontic treatment anonymously completed the German version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G14) to assess OHRQoL in addition to completing 23 other items. Descriptive, exploratory statistical analysis and multiple linear regression modelling were performed.

Results

The mean score of the OHIP-G14 was 8.3 for the 6- to 11-year olds, 8.9 for the 12- to 17-year olds, and 12.6 for adults. Physical pain (Subscale 2) was the highest factor in all groups. Additionally, a relevant factor was Subscale 3 (psychological discomfort). A linear regression model showed that, in the adolescent group, aesthetics in combination with pain had a significant negative influence on OHRQoL, whereas, in the adult group, function in combination with pain showed the same significant negative influence. Second, except for the children, fixed appliances had a significant negative effect on OHRQoL compared to removable appliances.

Conclusions

Our study showed that the majority of the 6- to 11-year olds and 12- to 17-year olds reported a good OHRQoL. Nevertheless, adolescents and adults who reported aesthetic/pain and function/pain problems, respectively, as reasons for orthodontic treatment showed a significant occurrence for reduced OHRQoL. Fixed appliances, in comparison with removable appliances, also resulted in a significant reduction in OHRQoL for both groups.

Leukocytosis is common after orthognathic surgery: A retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

In the absence of infection-specific clinical signs and symptoms, it is often difficult for the maxillofacial surgeon to decide whether leukocytosis after orthognathic surgery is part of the normal postoperative response, as suggested for a variety of non-maxillofacial surgeries, or a sign of a developing infection. The aim was to determine the trends and factors predictive of postoperative WBC (white blood cell) values after orthognathic surgery that may provide the surgeon appropriate guidance for decision making.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included a total of 83 consecutive patients who underwent 93 orthognathic surgical cases over six years. The natural history of postoperative WBC values and incidence of leukocytosis were characterized, and their differences across potential predictor variables were then analyzed using univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

On post-operative day (POD) 1, the mean post-operative WBC count reached the peak level, with an increase of 11.4 × 10⁶ cells/μL. By POD 2, it declined slightly to a level approximately two times more than the preoperative level. Over the first two post-operative days, the incidence of leukocytosis was 93.5%. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that gender, duration of surgery and pre-operative WBC count were the only significant predictors of the post-operative WBC value, whereas the pre-operative WBC count was the only significant (OR: 2.61, P < 0.05) predictor of post-operative leukocytosis.

CONCLUSION

Post-operative leukocytosis after orthognathic surgery is significantly influenced by the pre-operative WBC count, and has similar trends with a much higher incidence, compared to non-maxillofacial surgeries.

Numbness of the lower lip does not adversely affect quality of life or patients' satisfaction after mandibular orthognathic surgery

Measures of patient-reported quality of life (QoL) are increasingly being used to tailor services that are funded by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) in England. Mandibular osteotomies may result in altered sensation of the lower lip, but we know of limited evidence about the resulting effect on QoL. The modified Bristol orthognathic patient outcomes questionnaire was given to patients who had mandibular osteotomies at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, between March 2006 and April 2016. Questionnaires were collected at the final orthognathic postoperative appointment. The significance of the difference in QoL between those who had altered sensation of the lower lip and those who did not was compared using a two-tailed t test. During this period 170 patients had mandibular orthognathic operations. Completed questionnaires were received from 117 of those patients (69%) during this period, after a follow up of about six months. We found no significant difference between the perceived benefits of treatment between the 41 who had altered sensation and the 74 who did not (p=0.30). Only 5/41 who reported residual numbness six months postoperatively stated that they would not choose to have the same treatment again. In conclusion, orthognathic surgery results in an appreciable improvement in QoL and should continue to be funded by CCG in England. Contrary to the perception of some clinicians, those patients with residual numbness of the lip did not have significantly poorer QoL. Future interpretation of the data will be improved if they are collected both before and after the operation.

Assessment of the Quality of Life in Moroccan Patients Undergoing Orthognathic Surgery

Objective

Dentofacial deformities can affect patient "quality of life" (QoL), and orthognathic surgery can improve this QoL. The aim of the present study is to assess changes in QoL in Moroccan adult patients with dentofacial deformities undergoing orthodontic surgical treatment.

Methods

32 patients (21 females and 11 males; mean age 27±5.96 years) completed a specific questionnaire of QoL once the surgical phase is completed. The questionnaire includes 22 questions marked on a 4-point scale depending on how much the question covered by the statement disturbs the respondent. The 22 questions contribute to four aspects: social aspects of dentofacial deformities, facial aesthetic, oral function, and awareness of dentofacial aesthetics.

Results

A significant difference in QoL was observed before surgery between men and women. On the other hand, 73.6% stated of patients said that they were uncomfortable by their dentofacial appearance before surgery, and almost half of the patients have made functional limitations before surgery. After surgery, 85.42% of patients reported a positive change in their QoL. Class III patients reported greater pre-surgical aesthetic and functional restrictions than Class II skeletal patients. In post-surgery, patients in both skeletal classes showed significant improvement in their QoL, so improving the aesthetics, oral functions and self-confidence are the main motivators to seek orthognathic treatment for our patients.

Conclusion

Improving the aesthetics, oral functions and self-confidence are the main motivators to seek orthognathic treatment for Moroccan patients.

Patient's Satisfaction in Skeletal Class III Cases Treated With Two-Jaw Surgery Using Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire: Conventional Three-Stage Method Versus Surgery-First Approach

OBJECTIVE

To compare the quality of life (QoL) of Class III patients between conventional three-stage method (CTM) and surgery-first approach (SFA) using Orthognathic QoL Questionnaire (OQLQ).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The subjects consisted of 26 Class III patients treated with nonextraction and two-jaw surgery. They were divided into CTM group (N = 15) and SFA group (N = 11). They retrospectively rated the OQLQ scores of 4 domains (social relationship, facial esthetics, function, and awareness of dentofacial deformity) using 0 to 4 scale at initial (T0), just before surgery (T1), 3 month after surgery (T2), and at debonding (T3). Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

After total OQLQ score of CTM group was deteriorated at T1 stage compared with T0 stage, it was improved at T2 and T3 stages (T0 = 53.9, T1 = 58.1, T2 = 23.5, and T3 = 11.6). Total OQLQ score of SFA group, however, was improved at T2 and T3 stages compared with T0 stage (T0 = 51.6, T2 =  3.1, and T3 = 11.4; T1 was omitted.). Orthognathic QoL Questionnaire scores and their amounts of change did not show any significant difference in each domain and at each stage between 2 groups (T0, T2, T3, ΔT2 - T0, ΔT3 - T2, ΔT3 - T0; all P > 0.05). Both groups showed large change in effect size (ES) of all domains with descending order during T3 - T0: facial esthetics, oral function, social relationship, and awareness of dentofacial deformity (CTM group: -3.97, -3.40, -2.23, -1.25; SFA group: -2.83, -2.33, -1.76, -1.73) CONCLUSIONS: SFA might have an advantage over CTM group in terms of no deterioration stage of OQLQ score.

Oral health-related quality of life after orthodontic treatment for anterior tooth alignment: Association with emotional state and sociodemographic factors

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work was to evaluate associations of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) with sociodemographic factors and with emotional state in adults after orthodontic treatment for anterior tooth alignment. Few studies have examined these specific associations in the past, one reason presumably being a lack of specific instruments.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 128 adult patients consecutively treated with multibracket appliances were contacted during the retention period. The response rate was 68 %. They were asked to complete both an emotional well-being test (Zerssen Mood Scale, Bf-S) and a 52-item orthodontic survey of OHRQoL, which we had developed based on the German version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G14).

RESULTS

The study demonstrated a high association of self-perceived apperance with OHRQoL and a strong role of the teeth and mouth. Aside from a few exceptions, the patients' responses in the survey did not reveal any significant gender-specific or age-specific differences. By contrast, patients in lower-than-normal spirits were found to also respond with significantly less favorable ratings to the survey items dealing with self-perceived overall attractiveness, facial attractivenss, and course of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Dental appearance has a psychosocial impact on private and job-related interactions, which can increase the motivation of those affected to seek treament. Our orthodontic OHRQoL survey proved to be informative and practical. Findings that were especially striking included the patients' high acceptance of the changes induced by treatment and their high willingness to recommend such treatment to other adults.

Effect of malocclusion or orthodontic treatment on oral health-related quality of life in adults

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of malocclusion or orthodontic treatment on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in adults.

Methods

The sample consisted of 860 adults (378 men and 482 women, aged 18-39 years) who were clinically evaluated for malocclusion or orthodontic treatment experience. Participants were divided into 4 groups as follows: normal occlusion, malocclusion, fixed treatment, and retention. OHRQoL was assessed with the short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ).

Results

The malocclusion group and the fixed treatment group had significantly higher OHIP-14 scores than the normal occlusion group and the retention group (p < 0.001). The malocclusion group had the highest PIDAQ score, while the normal occlusion group and the retention group had the lowest PIDAQ score (p < 0.001). Women had higher OHIP-14 and PIDAQ scores than men. A significant positive correlation was found between OHIP-14 and PIDAQ scores (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Malocclusion has a negative impact on OHRQoL, but this could be improved in adults through orthodontic treatment. These OHRQoL questionnaires can provide additional useful information on specific aspects of orthodontic patients' psychological state.

Psychosocial well-being of prospective orthognathic-surgical patients

OBJECTIVE

To compare the psychosocial well-being of prospective orthognathic-surgical patients and controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients referred for assessment of orthognathic-surgical treatment need and 29 controls participated. All participants filled in the modified version of Secord and Jourard's Body Image Questionnaire, the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II and a structured diary developed by the authors. Patients also filled in the Symptom Checklist 90. Patients assessed their dental appearance on a visual analogue scale modified from the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. Professional assessment was made from study models with the AC.

RESULTS

Patients rating their dental appearance as AC grades 5-10 suffered from lower orthognathic quality-of-life and poorer body image than the controls, while those with AC grades of 1-4 only had poorer oral function. Self-perceived dental appearance was more important to orthognathic quality-of-life and body image than an orthodontist's assessment. Patients and controls had equal psychological flexibility and self-esteem. In all, 23-57% of patients had significant psychiatric symptoms, which explained the adverse emotions patients felt during the day. Fifteen per cent of the patients had been bullied.

CONCLUSIONS

Many orthognathic-surgical patients cope well with their dentofacial deformities, despite functional masticatory problems. It seems that a subjective view of dental appearance may be a key factor in finding patients with psychosocial problems. It should be a major issue when considering psychosocial support and other treatment options.

Satisfaction of skeletal class III patients treated with different types of orthognathic surgery

The aim of this study was to compare the satisfaction of skeletal class III patients following treatment with three different methods of orthognathic surgery. Eighty-two patients were divided into three groups according to the surgical procedure performed to correct their class III dentofacial deformity, and answered a questionnaire designed to determine the patient's opinion of the aesthetic and functional treatment outcomes. Differences in the patterns of responses to questions in the questionnaire related to satisfaction between the three clinical groups were evaluated by χ(2) and Fisher's exact tests (α=5%). Eighty patients (97.6%) reported being satisfied with the treatment received. There was no significant difference in response patterns among clinical groups when assessing the improvement in facial appearance, chewing, speech, and socialization. Maxillary advancement led to higher levels of improvement in breathing (P<0.0003). Class III patients treated by orthognathic surgery had high levels of satisfaction with the aesthetic and functional outcomes of their treatment.

Randomized controlled clinical trial of oral health-related quality of life in patients wearing conventional and self-ligating brackets

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to compare oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients treated with conventional, active self-ligating (ASL), and passive self-ligating (PSL) brackets in different therapeutic phases.

METHODS

Sixty patients (mean age 18.3 years; 29 males and 31 females) requiring orthodontic treatment were randomly and equally assigned to receive conventional (Victory Series), ASL (In-Ovation R), or PSL (Damon 3MX) brackets. OHRQoL was measured with a self-administered modified 16-item Malaysian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile for immediate (soon after the visit) and late (just before the subsequent visit) assessments of the bonding and activation phases. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests.

RESULTS

The PSL and ASL groups showed more immediate and late impacts in the bonding phase, respectively; the conventional group was affected in both the assessments. The first activation phase had similar impacts in the groups. After the second activation, the conventional group showed more immediate impacts, whereas the PSL and ASL groups had more late impacts. The commonly affected domains were "physical disability," "functional limitation," "physical pain," and "psychological discomfort." No significant differences in the prevalence and severity of immediate and late impacts on OHRQoL of the patients were noted in any therapeutic phase.

CONCLUSIONS

No bracket system seems to ensure superior OHRQoL. This information could be useful for explaining the therapeutic phases, especially the initial one, and selecting the optimal bracket system based on the patient's preference.

Dental esthetics and quality of life in adults with severe malocclusion before and after treatment

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between satisfaction with dental esthetics and quality of life, and esthetics satisfaction in relation to esthetic evaluations of three panel groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-two patients (36 women, 16 men; age 18-61 years) with severe malocclusion were treated in Oulu University Hospital. Of these, 38 and 14 patients underwent orthodontic/surgical treatment and orthodontic treatment, respectively. A questionnaire and dental photographs were collected before and after treatment. The 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was used to measure oral health-related quality of life. Satisfaction with dental esthetics was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale. Dental photographs were presented to three panel groups: 30 laypersons, 30 dental students, and 10 orthodontists, who rated the photographs using the Aesthetic Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need.

RESULTS

Oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14 severity score) and esthetic satisfaction (according to the Visual Analogue Scale) improved after the treatment (P < .001). The most unsatisfied patients reported oral effects more often both before and after treatment. Changes in oral health-related quality of life components of severity, psychological discomfort, and psychological disability correlated positively with the changes in esthetic satisfaction. Orthodontists graded the situation before treatment as worse and the outcome as better than the laypersons; the level of grading by dental students fell between these two groups.

CONCLUSION

Improvement in esthetic satisfaction due to the treatment of severe malocclusion improves oral health-related quality of life, particularly by decreasing psychological discomfort and psychological disability.