Evaluation of orthodontic treatment needs using the dental aesthetic index in Iranian students

[Discontinuation of Orthodontic Treatment: what are the early predictive factors?]

INTRODUCTION

Discontinuation of orthodontic treatment has iatrogenic, psychological, ergonomic and financial consequences. The objective of this study was to investigate early risk factors (prior to installation) of discontinuation of orthodontic treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a case-control study between a group of patients who dropped their orthodontic treatment ("A") and a randomly selected group of patients who had completed their orthodontic treatment ("NA"). The two groups were compared, with descriptive, uni and multivariate analyzes. The risk factors assessed were age, gender, socioeconomic status, type of treatment, dysmorphism, malocclusion, need for treatment, compliance.

RESULTS

In the dropout group 55 patients were included ("A") and 100 in the non-abandoned ("NA") group randomly selected. The subject at risk of abandonment was a girl of less than 11 years of age with a low socio-economic level with antero-posterior and vertical skeletal dysmorphisms, a molar class II, a teeth crowding, a small aesthetic prejudice or, on the contrary, very important, complex treatment (with extractions or with surgery) and having delays or missed appointments before the installation of the orthodontic appliance.

CONCLUSION

Patients' motivation needs to be strengthened for both extremes: treatments that appear simple and conversely for complex cases requiring strong cooperation.

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.

[Does gender make a difference in orthodontics? A literature review]

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this literature review is to investigate whether the gender of patients and practitioners makes any difference to orthodontic treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-nine articles were selected, the vast majority of which studied patient gender.

RESULTS

Young females are the category of patients which most often apply for orthodontic treatment, probably because of their higher aesthetic demands, despite their objective needs being no greater. Aesthetic, skeletal and dental analyses reveal an obvious dimorphism with larger dimensions in males, especially for the nose, cheekbones, mouth and mandibular canines. Nevertheless, cephalometric angular values do not vary significantly between male and female individuals. Growth is quantitatively greater in males. It also occurs later, as does eruption and maturation of their teeth. Response to the different orthodontic / orthopedic therapies would appear not to differ according to the sex of the patient.

DISCUSSION

These results, however, need to be qualified according to the country concerned, the patients' life style and mind frames, as these can modify or influence the studied parameters.