Psychosocial Impact of Dental Esthetics on Quality of Life in Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To test the hypothesis that several dimensions of the self-perceived psychosocial impacts of dental esthetics are not associated with grades of malocclusion, oral health–related quality-of-life measures, and body self-image in adolescents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of 301 adolescents (mean age 16.1 ± 1.8 years, 58.1% female subjects). Demographic data were collected and dental conditions were assessed. The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was used for assessment of malocclusion and determination of orthodontic treatment needs. The short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ), and the Body Satisfaction Scale (BSS) were used to measure adolescents' self-perceived variables. Results: All variables (DAI, OHIP-14, and BSS) were correlated with PIDAQ (P < .001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed significant associations (P < .001) of independent variables with the total score of PIDAQ (R2 = 0.29) and dental self-confidence (R2 = 0.30), social impact (R2 = 0.14), psychological impact (R2 = 0.23), and esthetic concern (R2 = 0.13). Conclusion: The hypothesis is rejected. A broad range of adolescents' self-perceived impact of dental esthetics is influenced by severity of malocclusion, oral health–related quality of life, and body satisfaction.

Effect of anterior teeth display during smiling on the self-perceived impacts of malocclusion in adolescents

“…4 The mean overall PIDAQ score was 18.1 (SD 12.3), ranging from 0 to 61. Raw distributions of scores according to PIDAQ scales are shown in Figure 1.…”

“…18,23,24 The impact of oral health conditions on a person's satisfaction with their appearance might result in shame in social contacts and psychosocial disadvantage. 18,23,24 In a previous study, de Paula-Junior et al 4 showed that adolescents' self-perceived impact of dental esthetics is influenced by the severity of malocclusion, oral health-related quality of life, and body satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant associations of independent variables (DAI, short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile, and body satisfaction scale) with the PIDAQ scale and subscales.…”

“…Multiple regression analysis revealed significant associations of independent variables (DAI, short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile, and body satisfaction scale) with the PIDAQ scale and subscales. 4 Excessive gingival display is a common feature, particularly among women. 16,20 Tjan et al, 16 Geron and Atalia, 19 and Peck et al 25 found that a low smile line is a predominantly male characteristic, whereas a high smile line is predominantly female, in concordance with our findings.…”

“…1 Therefore, the esthetic impacts of malocclusion can affect quality of life; impair social interaction, interpersonal relationships, and psychological well-being; and produce feelings of inferiority. [2][3][4] The need for orthodontic treatment is difficult to define and, in most cases, a professional viewpoint is used to describe the need for orthodontic treatment. 5 By contrast, the demand for orthodontic treatment in adolescents is mainly motivated by personal concerns about appearance and other psychosocial factors.…”

Quality of Life after Orthodontic Therapy from the Perspective of CS-OIDP

“…Based on this hypothesis, several studies have reported that dentofacial aesthetics play an important role in both social interaction as well as the psychosocial well-being, where the dental appearance has greater importance than when it is a measured aspect of the functional amendment itself [21] [28] [31]. Because of these findings, and the report of Shaffiula et al (2009), it is justified to argue that the quest for orthodontic treatment is influenced primarily by the desire to look attractive in search of improved self-esteem [30].…”