J Orofac Orthop. 2025 Aug 1. doi: 10.1007/s00056-025-00605-x. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To ascertain the relationship between malocclusion severity, treatment expectations, socioeconomic status, objective orthodontic treatment need, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in adolescents with class II malocclusion.
METHODS: Cephalometric measurement values, arch discrepancy values, and clinical examination findings were recorded to determine the severity of malocclusion in 104 adolescents with class II malocclusion who requested orthodontic treatment. Objective orthodontic treatment need was determined by the Index of Complexity, Outcome, and Need (ICON) and Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) scores. The Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetic Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) were used to assess the OHRQoL. Treatment expectations and the socioeconomic status were also evaluated.
RESULTS: Patients with proclined upper incisors exhibited higher PIDAQ scores than those with retroclined upper incisors. Contrary, no significant difference was observed between the PIDAQ and OHIP-14 scores of the patients categorized according to overjet, overbite, growth pattern, or objective orthodontic treatment need. No statistically significant correlation was identified between socioeconomic status, OHRQoL, age, and DAI scores, except for socioeconomic status and ICON scores. Patients who reported the treatment expectation to improve their social relationships and communication skills exhibited the highest OHIP-14 scores, indicating the poorest OHRQoL.
CONCLUSION: Significantly poorer OHRQoL was observed in adolescents with class II malocclusion who presented an increased proclination of their upper incisors and requested orthodontic treatment with the expectation of improvement in social relations and communication skills. Larger study samples would improve the generalizability of the results.
PMID:40748482 | DOI:10.1007/s00056-025-00605-x
