Malocclusion and dental appearance in underprivileged Brazilian adolescents

Socioeconomic status in life course is associated with dental appearance dissatisfaction

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dissatisfaction with dental appearance among 24-year-old Brazilian adults and the associated factors in life course. A subsample (n = 720) of the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort in southern Brazil was investigated at the ages of 15 and 24 years using clinical (caries and periodontal) examinations and interviews. The outcome was dissatisfaction with dental appearance at the age of 24 years. Covariate variables included socioeconomic factors, oral health, and dissatisfaction with general appearance collected during different periods of life. Poisson regression models with robust variance were applied. The prevalence of dissatisfaction with dental appearance was 43.5% (95%CI: 39.8-47.1). Individuals with downward income mobility (PR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.07-1.79) and those always poor (PR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.00-1.57) presented a higher prevalence of dissatisfaction with their dental appearance even after oral health variables and dissatisfaction with general appearance were controlled for. Moderate/severe malocclusion at 15 years (PR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.13-1.59), highest experience of untreated dental caries at 24 years (PR = 1.82, 95%CI: 1.46-2.27), and dental pain experience at 24 years (PR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.22-1.75) were associated with the outcome. Also, the prevalence of dissatisfaction with dental appearance was 20% higher (PR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.01-1.43) among those dissatisfied with their general appearance. Our findings demonstrated a high prevalence of dissatisfaction with dental appearance among young adults. Lifetime economic disadvantage and dental problems (malocclusion at 15 years, untreated dental caries at 24 years, and dental pain at 24 years) were associated with dissatisfaction with dental appearance among young adults.

Effect of weight satisfaction on adolescent facial and dental satisfaction

PURPOSE

To investigate if facial and dental satisfaction is related to body fat percentage and body weight satisfaction.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was applied to adolescents from a Private School in Southern Brazil containing sociodemographic (sex and age) and self-perception variables. Adolescents were asked about their perceptions concerning dental problems. Body fat percentage was collected using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 372 adolescents were examined. Most adolescents were satisfied with their dental (81.7%) and facial appearance (87.6%), while 39% of adolescents were satisfied with their body weight. Poisson regression model showed that adolescents who expressed satisfaction with their body weight (PR = 1.12, 95%CI 1.06-1.19) and were satisfied with their dental appearance (PR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.08-1.41) exhibited a positive association with facial satisfaction. Adolescents dissatisfied with dental color (PR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.80-0.97), those reporting dental pain (PR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.80-0.97), and individuals with obesity (PR = 0.91, 95%CI 0.83-0.99) demonstrated a decrease in facial satisfaction. Adolescents aged 16 to 19 years (PR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15) and those satisfied with their facial appearance (PR = 1.20, 95%CI 1.01-1.43) exhibited a higher prevalence of dental satisfaction. Conversely, adolescents dissatisfied with dental color (PR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.66-0.82) and those with misaligned teeth (PR = 0.63, 95%CI 0.55-0.73) reported lower levels of dental satisfaction. Parametric g-formula analysis found that the association between body fat and facial satisfaction was mediated by body weight satisfaction (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

While dental satisfaction was not influenced by corporeal characteristics, facial satisfaction was influenced by dental and body weight satisfaction. Obese adolescents had low facial satisfaction.

Relationship between aesthetic concern and self-esteem in adolescents with severe malocclusion

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between aesthetic concern and self-esteem in adolescents with severe malocclusion.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study developed with 543 adolescents from 11 to 13 years of age and severe malocclusion was selected. Dental aesthetic index (DAI) diagnosed the malocclusion and selected the groups with greater severity (DAI 3 and 4). Aesthetic concern was assessed using the oral aesthetic subjective impact scale (OASIS) and considered an outcome variable. The global negative self-evaluation (GSE) evaluated self-esteem. The variables were analysed using Poisson multiple regression and the model adjustment determined by the Akaike information criterion (AICC). The effect of each variable on OASIS was expressed as a prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence intervals. The analyses were performed using the R program with a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS

A significant association was observed between aesthetic concern scores and self-esteem (p<.05). Individuals with low self-esteem had OASIS scores 14% higher (PR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.08-1.21). There was no significant association between OASIS and gender and age (p>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Self-esteem modulates how the individual perceives malocclusion. Adolescents with severe and very malocclusion and low self-esteem have greater aesthetic concerns.

Meneghim M, Vedovello SAS. Correlation between malocclusion and history of bullying in vulnerable adolescents

OBJECTIVES

To assess the correlation between malocclusion and a history of bullying.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 494 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years was conducted. The National School Health Survey questionnaire (PeNSE 1 and 2) was used to determine history of bullying by identifying the victim and the abuser. Variables were evaluated based on the individual (age), environment (income, father's and mother's education, housing, government assistance, and parents' occupation), social and emotional well-being (CPQ11-14 domains), self-perceived need for orthodontic treatment, and clinical conditions (crowding, diastema, maxillary and mandibular overjet, and anterior open bite). Data were analyzed by Spearman correlation and by multivariate analysis, which allowed graphical representation of the eight variables studied in only two dimensions.

RESULTS

There was no correlation between bullying and variables related to the individual and the environment. Maxillary overjet and self-perception related to the need for orthodontic treatment were important to explain the data variability.

CONCLUSIONS

Malocclusion did not correlate with bullying history. However, increased maxillary overjet influences adolescent self-perception, suggesting a potential condition for bullying events.

Is the adolescent's esthetic concern associated with anterior occlusal conditions or the malocclusion severity level?

OBJECTIVES

To assess the esthetic impact of anterior occlusal conditions and malocclusion severity levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study of 700 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years was conducted. The Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale (OASIS) was used to evaluate the subjective esthetic impact of malocclusion. The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) criteria were used to diagnose the anterior occlusal characteristics in isolation and the severity levels of malocclusion. The variables with P < .20 in the individual analyses were tested in multiple logistic regression models, and those with P < .10 remained in the model. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was estimated with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Of the adolescents, 42% showed negative self-perception of malocclusion. In addition, 15.4% of adolescents had severe malocclusion (DAI 3) and 18.9% very severe malocclusion (DAI 4). Crowding and spacing were shown to be 2.90 (CI: 2.06-4.09) and 2.53 (CI: 1.65-3.86) times, respectively, more likely to cause a negative esthetic impact in adolescents (P < .05). In addition, adolescents with orthodontic treatment need (DAI 2, 3, and 4) were more likely to report a negative esthetic impact (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior crowding and spacing are the conditions that most influence the esthetic concern of adolescents. Adolescents with very severe malocclusion and higher orthodontic treatment need are more likely to report a negative esthetic impact.

A comparison of self-esteem and social appearance anxiety levels of individuals with different types of malocclusions

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to compare Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES), sensitivity to criticism scale (STCS) and social appearance anxiety scale (SAAS) scores of individuals with different types of malocclusions, and investigate the correlation between these scores and the index of complexity, outcome and need (ICON) score.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty individuals, who did not have any previous orthodontic treatment, were included. Group 1 included 40 patients with Class I malocclusion (median age of 14 years), Group 2 included 40 patients with Class II malocclusion (median age of 14.25 years) and Group 3 included 40 patients with Class III malocclusion (median age of 15.15 years). ICON scores were 46, 53 and 56 for Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. RSES, STCS and SAAS questionnaires were performed to the patients. Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney's U and Kruskal-Wallis's tests were used for the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Group 1 showed significantly higher level of RSES scores compared to Groups 2 and 3 (p<.05). STCS scores were found to be significantly higher in Group 2, compared to other groups (p<.05). Group 1 (32.53 ± 8.94) showed significantly lower level of SAAS scores compared to Group 2 (39.63 ± 9.28) and Group 3 (39.42 ± 10.54) (p<.05). A significant positive correlation was found between the ICON and SAAS scores (r = 0.247, p=.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents with Class II and III malocclusions reported higher levels of social appearance anxiety scores, and lower levels of self-esteem scores compared to Class I. Complexity of orthodontic treatment need showed a significant impact on social appearance anxiety.

Malocclusion in individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) are more affected by malocclusion than individuals without OI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Searches in PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs and gray literature were performed. Data extraction was conducted by two researchers. Risk of bias assessment employing the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and meta-analysis were conducted. Results were provided with mean difference (MD), odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Strength of evidence was determined.

RESULTS

Six cross-sectional studies were included. In comparison with individuals without OI, the group with OI had 19.69-fold greater chance of exhibiting Angle Class III malocclusion (OR = 19.69, CI: 9.00-43.09) and presenting anterior crossbite greater (MD = 6.08, CI: 2.40-9.77). Individuals without OI had a significantly greater ANB angle (MD = 3.88, CI: 1.15-6.61) and SNA angle (MD = 2.11, CI: 0.24-3.98) in comparison with those with OI. No difference between groups was found for SNB (MD = -0.50, CI: -2.21 to 1.21) and open bite (MD = 0.98, CI: -0.29 to 2.25). Most studies included had moderate methodological quality. Strength of evidence was low or very low.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of Angle Class III malocclusion and anterior crossbite was greater among individuals with OI compared to those without OI. These findings can assist stakeholders about the occlusal abnormalities affecting OI individuals.

Patient-centered assessments: how can they be used in dental clinical trials?

Recently, there has been greater interest in adopting a more holistic approach to healthcare. However, this trend should not limit itself merely to the notion that a human being lies behind the mouth being treated. Rather, it should embrace the understanding that this human can actively participate in and contribute to the treatment process. Patient Report Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient Report Experience Measures (PREMs) provide means for measuring data from the patient's perspective, and enable health-related feelings and functions to be evaluated. Accordingly, this critical review aims to provide definitions, rationales and applications of patient-centered approaches in dental clinical research. Some patient-centered constructs are especially relevant to dental clinical trials, such as oral health-related quality of life, pain/discomfort, aesthetics and satisfaction concerning treatment and services. The selection and application of patient-reported measures can vary according to condition (generic, disease-specific or treatment-specific) and to the specific population evaluated (age and cognitive impairment). These measures can help weigh risks and benefits, as well as assess the cost effectiveness of treatments, thus influencing treatment recommendations and health policies. The incorporation of these measures into a professional's daily life not only represents an improvement in professional performance, but also addresses a humanitarian concern.