Abstract
Introduction: Orthodontic indices are used for the assessment of malocclusion, its severity level, and treatment need. Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) is a simple, valid and reliable index commonly used for epidemiological survey and initial screening of the orthodontic patients.Objective: To evaluate the frequency and severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need among Nepalese patients using DAI and to compare the treatment need between gender groups.Materials & Method: 150 pairs of maxillary and mandibular pre-treatment orthodontic study models of 59 male and 91 female patients with permanent dentition were randomly selected from the Department of Orthodontics, Kantipur Dental College. Ten occlusal traits of DAI were assessed on each pair of study models using graduated periodontal probe and metallic scale by a single examiner. Cumulative DAI scores were calculated according to standard DAI method to differentiate the severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need.Result: About 60% of the sample presented severe or very severe (handicapping) malocclusions indicating highly desirable or mandatory treatment need. 21.3% had definite malocclusion that required elective treatment need, 19.3% had normal occlusion with no or slight treatment need. There was no statistically different mean DAI scores between male and female samples (p=0.116)Conclusion: Most of the samples were in great need of orthodontic treatment with very severe malocclusions. Male samples had greater percentage of ‘very severe’ malocclusion than female. Malocclusion was characterized with high frequency of anterior incisal irregularity, maxillary overjet, midline diastema. DAI can be used as a screening tool rather than the decision making tool.
Highlights
Orthodontic indices are used for the assessment of malocclusion, its severity level, and treatment need
Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was introduced by Cons et al in 1986 as an epidemiological tool to rank dental esthetics and orthodontic treatment need on a scale of social norms for a socially acceptable dental appearance which links mathematical, objective, clinical, and subjective esthetic factors to produce a single score that reflects the severity and the treatment needs of the malocclusion.[5,6,7,8,9]
Dental Aesthetic Index was used in the present study for its simplicity, reliability and validity; which has not been used on Nepalese samples in the past
Summary
Orthodontic indices are used for the assessment of malocclusion, its severity level, and treatment need. Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was introduced by Cons et al in 1986 as an epidemiological tool to rank dental esthetics and orthodontic treatment need on a scale of social norms for a socially acceptable dental appearance which links mathematical, objective (occlusal), clinical, and subjective esthetic factors to produce a single score that reflects the severity and the treatment needs of the malocclusion.[5,6,7,8,9] Considering the societally defined norms for dental appearance and recognizing the conditions that are potentially psycho-socially handicapping; DAI highlights the importance of physical attractiveness.[3] It was integrated into the International Collaboration Study of Oral Health Outcomes by World Health Organization as an objective, simple, applied, valid and reliable cross-cultural index.6.7 It is used as a screening device in epidemiological survey. DAI does not necessarily require a specialist; it can be carried out with limited resources and is proven to be efficient in resource management.[8]
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