The Effect of Orthodontic Intervention on Mental Health and Body Image

Abstract

AIM:Physical health especially oral and dental health can play a leading role in individuals’ mental health status. Therefore, determining the relationship between orthodontics, mental health, and body image can provide solutions for the development of treatment services and provision of greater accessibility of communities to them.METHODS:The present study was natural experimental research conducted to determine the relationship between orthodontic treatment, mental health, and body image. To conduct this research, individuals referring to orthodontic clinics in the city of Kermanshah and meeting the inclusion criteria in the study were selected using convenience sampling method and then they were assessed before and after undergoing orthodontics via the standardised Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ).RESULTS:The mean scores of mental health problems in the study participants reduced and such a difference calculated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test with a 95% confidence level was significant (P = 0.001). Moreover, all the subscales of GHQ in the study participants showed a significant decrease after orthodontics compared to the stage before that (P < 0.05). The mean score of MBSRQ before orthodontics was equal to 171.78 and this value reached 172.51 after that, indicating individuals’ increased scores and their high levels of satisfaction with their body image. Nevertheless, the given difference was trivial, and it was not statistically significant (P = 0.751).CONCLUSIONS:The results of the present study showed that orthodontic treatment could significantly increase mental health status in the clients and also improve multidimensional attitudes towards body image.

Oral health related quality of life of patients with class III skeletal malocclusion before and after orthognathic surgery

“…Esperao et al [21] discussed that orthognathic surgery positively affects the quality of life. Imani et al [22] evaluated the effect of orthodontic intervention on mental health and body image and concluded that orthodontic treatment significantly improves the mental health status and multidimensional attitudes towards body image.…”

Self-Reported Changes in Oral Hygiene Habits among Adolescents Receiving Orthodontic Treatment

“…Although malocclusion is not a disease, this morphological variation is often defined as a deviation from beauty norms, which can cause low self-esteem and insufficient self-confidence in people due to frequent teasing experiences and dissatisfaction [2][3][4]. Accomplished orthodontic treatment can improve multidimensional attitudes toward body image and mental health status [5]. Subsequently, an inappropriate aesthetic is the main reason for patients to undergo orthodontic treatment, while medical and dental indications are less prevalent as a reason for orthodontic treatment [6][7][8].…”

The effect of viewing idealised smile images versus nature images via social media on immediate facial satisfaction in young adults: A randomised controlled trial

“…Studies have shown that adults who have had orthodontic treatment have improved self-esteem and quality of life (de Couto Nascimento et al, 2016; Imani et al, 2018). This purported increase in self-esteem was shown in our study not to correlate in resistance to post-exposure facial or body dissatisfaction.…”