A cross-sectional evaluation of the impact of Class II Division 1 malocclusion in treated and untreated adolescents on oral health–related quality of life

Abstract

The relationship between malocclusion, orthodontic treatment, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) is complicated, with some traits, such as increased overjet, having a potentially greater adverse effect on an adolescent's OHRQOL. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment on OHRQOL in adolescents presenting with Class II Division 1 malocclusion and explore the relationship between OHRQOL using a condition-specific and generic instrument and occlusal outcome. Two groups of adolescents were recruited from a United Kingdom university hospital: a pretreatment group of adolescents with Class II Division 1 malocclusion and a treated (posttreatment) group whose Class II Division 1 malocclusion had been corrected. Self-reported OHRQOL was assessed using the malocclusion impact questionnaire (MIQ) and the short form of Child Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaires. Occlusion severity and outcome were assessed using Peer Assessment Rating scores. A total of 241 participants (106 male; 135 female) were recruited. MIQ scores differed significantly between the pretreatment and posttreatment groups, with scores being 11.35 times lower posttreatment than pretreatment, after adjusting for age and sex (95% confidence interval, -17.28 to -5.42; P<0.001). Females had higher total MIQ scores by 2.6 (95% confidence interval, 0.38 to 4.82), which was statistically significant (P=0.022). There was a moderate correlation between MIQ and Peer Assessment Rating scores, but this relationship strengthened when omitting the global MIQ questions (Spearman's correlation coefficient, 0.59). Increased overjet was associated with impaired OHRQOL using a condition-specific measure. A deeper understanding of associations between malocclusion, orthodontic treatment, and OHRQOL would benefit from longitudinal evaluation.