Does Malocclusion Affect Adolescents' Social Acceptance?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the social impact and self-perception of malocclusion among adolescents and to investigate whether types and severity of malocclusion have any effect on adolescents' social acceptance. Methodology: The sample size was 886 males and females living in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia, chosen from middle and high schools' students, with ages ranging from 12 to 19 years. After completion of the questionnaire to assess social impact, all participants were examined using Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), Dental Health Component, and Aesthetic Component. Results: The results showed that there was a highly significant difference between the means of both social impact and self-perceived need scores according to gender and according to the severity of treatment need as assessed by the examiner using IOTN. Malocclusion has a negative effect on social acceptance. Anterior spacing, anterior open bite, increased overjet, and crowding-in this order-have the most negative impacts on adolescents' social acceptance. Conclusions: Social acceptance is negatively affected by the severity of malocclusion. Spacing, open bite, increased overjet, and crowding have the most negative impacts on adolescents' social acceptance.

Análisis de calidad de vida relacionada con salud oral en adultos con maloclusión

“…Por otra parte, en los jóvenes se encontró que la maloclusión tuvo repercusiones psicosociales negativas, especialmente el espacio entre los dientes, la mordida abierta, el resalte incisal aumentado y el apiñamiento (14). En nuestro estudio prevalecieron estas dos últimas anomalías; sin embargo, en otro estudio, adultos con sobremordida horizontal aumentada presentaron disminución de su calidad de vida oral (4).…”

Relationship between the need for orthodontic treatment and DMFT index in adults

“…Por otra parte, en el estudio de Al-Hummayani et al 16 realizado en jóvenes, se encontró que la maloclusión tuvo un impacto psicosocial negativo, especialmente el espacio entre los dientes, mordida abierta, resalte incisal aumentado y apiñamiento, prevaleciendo estas dos últimas anomalías en nuestro estudio. Es por esto que se debe considerar que, además de alterar la función y la estética, los problemas de maloclusión pueden influir negativamente en la calidad de vida relacionada con salud oral de los pacientes, quienes pueden verse afectados en su autoestima.…”

Psychosocial Impacts of Malocclusion among Adolescents in Kedah, Malaysia: A Qualitative Study

“…While peer acceptance is crucial for social, emotional and behavioural development of adolescents (Nerini et al, 2019), these participants claimed that they had been bullied, mainly through name-calling. This is a form of verbal bullying, which is common among school children with dentofacial abnormalities (Al-Hummayani & Taibah, 2019;Baram et al, 2019). On the bright side, peers could also be the helpful hand to assist their affected friend.…”