An Assessment of the Subjective Psychological and Social Effects of Malocclusion-Related Dental Aesthetics and Its Influence on Body Self-Image and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adults

TL;DR

This study shows that dental misalignment affects young adults' self-image and quality of life, with more severe cases causing greater psychological and social impacts.

Contribution

The study empirically links malocclusion severity to psychosocial effects and body image in young adults.

Findings

Malocclusion severity significantly correlates with psychosocial impacts and body satisfaction.

OHIP-14, DAI, and BSS scores show strong associations with PIDAQ outcomes.

Dental self-confidence and aesthetic concern are most influenced by malocclusion severity.

Abstract

Introduction: Malocclusion has a psychological impact related to the patient's age. It also influences the quality of life. This research aims to test the null hypothesis that there is no association between the self-perceived psychosocial impacts of dental aesthetics with the severity of malocclusion, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and self-image of the body in young adults seeking orthodontic treatment.

Materials and methods: A convenience sample of young adults between 19 and 30 years old was selected for the study. The severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs were evaluated using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). The Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ), Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), and Body Satisfaction Scale (BSS) were used to evaluate the self-perceived effects of malocclusion.

Statistical analysis: The Kruskal-Wallis test is used to analyze the distribution of components with different grades of DAI. Spearman's correlation test evaluated the correlation between independent variables and their domains. The study utilized stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to assess the predictive value of independent factors on the PIDAQ and its domains.

Results: A total of 181 subjects with a mean age of 24.4 ± 1.5 years, 42% males and 58% females, participated in this study. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between all variables (OHIP-14, DAI, and BSS) and PIDAQ. There were significant correlations between the independent variables and the total score of PIDAQ (R2 = 0.16), psychological impact (R2 = 0.09), and social impact (R2 = 0.18), as well as dental self-confidence (R2 = 0.21) and aesthetic concern (R2 = 0.16).

Conclusion: In young adults, the self-perceived impact of dental aesthetics is moderated by the severity of malocclusion, oral health-related quality of life, and body satisfaction. The null hypothesis is rejected.

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