Perceptions of dental aesthetics of Class III and anterior open bite malocclusions: a comparison between 10- to 11-year-old schoolchildren and orthodontists

Overbite recognition and factors affecting esthetic tolerance among laypeople

OBJECTIVES

To determine recognition ability and the levels of esthetic tolerance of deep bite and anterior open bite (AOB) among laypeople and investigate the factors affecting levels of tolerance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a questionnaire, laypeople (N = 100) were examined, and overbite was measured. They were tested for whether they recognized deep bite and AOB. Esthetic tolerance thresholds for deep bite and AOB were selected by incremental depiction in grayscale images. Stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to quantify the effect of recognition and other factors (age, sex, education level, occupation, history of orthodontic treatment, interest in orthodontic treatment or retreatment, and overbite presence) affecting the tolerance of overbite problems (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

Of the participants, 55% and 94% recognized deep bite and AOB, respectively. Participants with a deep bite were significantly more likely to esthetically tolerate deep bite compared with those without a deep bite (odds ratio [OR], 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-9.89). Participants who recognized a deep bite problem had significantly lower esthetic tolerance to deep bite compared with participants who did not recognize a deep bite (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.06-0.45). None of the other eight chosen factors significantly affected the tolerance level of AOB (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with a deep bite or those who did not recognize a deep bite had significantly higher esthetic tolerance of deep bite than those without or those who recognized the problem (P < .05).

Comparison of perceptions on the dental aesthetics of different malocclusions between orthodontists and schoolchildren

OBJECTIVES

To compare perceptions on dental aesthetics of various malocclusions between schoolchildren and orthodontists with an orthodontic assessment of treatment needs.

METHODS

The prospective study was conducted between late March-December in 2017. A total of 32 orthodontists practicing in Shenyang, China and 116 schoolchildren (59 boys and 57 girls) aged 10-12 years (average= 11±0.60 years) from a 645 individual representing the population were selected via random sampling from a private primary school. Participants were questioned to assess 6 anterior dental photographs representing a variety degrees of aesthetic impairments, namely, reverse overjet (ROJ), anterior dental diastema and anterior open bite (OB) malocclusions.

RESULTS

Perceptions on dental aesthetics were identical among genders (p more than 0.05). Compared with the orthodontists, schoolchildren perceived significantly greater aesthetic impairment for severe anterior OB and severe ROJ, mild anterior OB malocclusions (p less than 0.01). Anterior dental diastemas were evaluated based on least aesthetic impairment and with no significant difference in perception between schoolchildren and orthodontists.

CONCLUSION

Schoolchildren perceived greater aesthetic impairment in severe anterior OB, severe ROJ, and mild anterior OB malocclusions than orthodontists. Median aesthetic components (AC) scores of schoolchildren for severe anterior OB and severe ROJ malocclusions corresponded with the category of "definite need" for treatment.

Recognition, Intervention and Management of Digit Sucking: A Clinical Guide for the General Dental Practitioner

Digit sucking is a common habit in young children, which if allowed to continue for a prolonged period, can adversely affect the development of the face and dental occlusion. Patients with digit sucking habits often present with an increased overjet, reduced overbite, anterior open bite, posterior crossbite and possible skeletal changes which can be challenging and costly to correct if the habit is not ceased in a timely manner. This article aims to provide guidance for general dental practitioners to recognise and appropriately manage patients with a digit sucking habit.