Esthetic Orthodontic Treatment Options Associated With Higher Oral Health Quality of Life

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine whether the types of orthodontic treatment adult patients are seeking has an effect on their oral health quality of life (OQOL).
Methods: A cross-section study was designed using 3 OQOL instruments developed at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM). Adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment at the BUGSDM Orthodontic Clinic were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting OQOL, sociodemographic and dental behavior questions. The OQOL instruments were used to compare the patients’ OQOL based on the type of orthodontic treatment they were seeking. The severity of each patient’s malocclusion was measured using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN).
Results: Forty-five patients (62% female) with a mean age of 32.7 years completed the questionnaire prior to starting orthodontic treatment. Of these patients, 20 were undergoing traditional treatment using metal brackets and wires, 15 were treated with Invisalign and 10 were treated with ceramic brackets. The most significant differences were seen between patients undergoing traditional orthodontic treatment and those undergoing Invisalign treatment, with patients undergoing traditional orthodontics reporting significantly higher esthetic scores of the IOTN and higher IOTN grades (worse malocclusion), and also reporting higher scores in the Brief 12 OQOL instrument (lower quality of life) (p<0.05). Patients seeking Invisalign treatment, despite having less severe malocclusion and overall better OQOL, reported significantly higher scores in the OQOL item regarding crooked teeth (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Adult patients undergoing traditional orthodontic treatment reported significantly lower OQOL compared to adults seeking more esthetic orthodontic treatment options, but adults seeking more esthetic treatment options were significantly more concerned about how crooked their teeth were compared to adults with more severe malocclusions. Understanding an adult patient’s view on his/her QOL will provide valuable insight to orthodontists when developing a treatment plan with the patient.