Relationship between occlusion and satisfaction with dental appearance in orthodontically treated and untreated groups. A longitudinal study

The aims of this study were to assess the relationship between occlusion, s atisfaction with dental appearance, and self-esteem at the ages of 11 (T-1) and 15 years (T-2), and to study perceived treatment effects. Separate ques tionnaires were completed by children and their parents to determine their attitude. The dental casts of 224 children were collected at T-1 and T-2, a nd assessed by the Aesthetic Component (AC) and Dental Health Component (DH C) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), and Peer Assessment R ating (PAR) Index. At T-2, 16 children had been treated with removable and 51 with fixed appli ances, while 157 were untreated. The children in the fixed appliance group had better dental aesthetics (AC) and occlusion (DHC) than those in the two other groups. Average PAR score reduction was 71.6 per cent (T-1-T-2) and satisfaction with own or child's dental appearance increased significantly. The untreated group showed increased malocclusions. In spite of that, the children expressed higher satisfaction with their own dental appearance at T-2 than at T-1, while the parents' satisfaction level was unchanged. For t he total group, orthodontic concern at T-1, AC at T-2, and gender accounted far 18.0 per cent of the variation in the children's satisfaction with the ir own dental appearance. Parents' concern at T-1 and AC at T-2 accounted f or 32.2 per cent of the variation in parents' satisfaction. improvement in self-esteem from 11 to 15 years was not correlated with treatment changes. A gender difference was found. The answers to the questionnaire indicated t hat both children and parents rate pleasant aesthetics as an important fact or for psychosocial well being.