Does Malocclusion Severity affect the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics among Nigerian Adolescents?

Akpasa Izegboya Akpasa Izegboya,Yemitan Tolulase Yemitan Tolulase,Popoola Bamidele Popoola Bamidele,Aikins Elfleda Aikins Elfleda

doi:10.53771/ijbpsa.2022.3.1.0027

Akpasa Izegboya Akpasa Izegboya, Yemitan Tolulase Yemitan Tolulase + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.53771/ijbpsa.2022.3.1.0027

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Abstract

The impact of malocclusion on the psyche of an individual could range from mild reservations about teeth appearance to debilitating anxiety about self-image and self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychosocial impact of malocclusion, determine its association with severity of malocclusion, and assess the effect of gender, age and academic level on psychosocial impact of malocclusion in Nigerian adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample of 96 adolescents with an age range of 13 to 19 years recruited from patients at a hospital dental clinic in Lagos, Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered having sociodemographic section and the English version of the standardized questionnaire measuring the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics (PIDAQ). The participants were assessed clinically and categorized into four malocclusion severity levels based on their Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) scores. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the sample’s sociodemographic characteristics as well as the mean PIDAQ and DAI scores. Bivariate analysis (ANOVA) was used to investigate the impact of the DAI scores on the mean PIDAQ scores. The interrelation among DAI and PIDAQ was analyzed using correlation analysis. The mean PIDAQ score was 42.5 ± 11.0. Severity of malocclusion as measured by DAI had no significant effect on psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics. The total PIDAQ score and its subscales showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) by age, gender, and academic level. Malocclusion severity has no significant linear relationship with the psychosocial impact of malocclusion.

Highlights

The aesthetic appearance of an individual influence the psychosocial status and can affect the social integration of an adolescent into the society or influence the acceptance of such individual into a social circle.Dental aesthetics is the cosmetic look of the teeth and a significant factor of psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing [1]
Severity of malocclusion as measured by Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) had no significant effect on psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics
Social and appearance norms set by peers and community may impact on individuals significantly [4] resulting in lack of self-esteem related to appearance with a sense of inferiority, having a negative impact on their quality of life [5]

Summary

Introduction

The aesthetic appearance of an individual influence the psychosocial status and can affect the social integration of an adolescent into the society or influence the acceptance of such individual into a social circle. Dental aesthetics is the cosmetic look of the teeth and a significant factor of psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing [1]. Physical appearance is a crucial factor in people's lives, and orofacial aesthetics may have a big impact, especially when it comes to social interactions [2]. Regardless of whether there is a meaningful functional or aesthetic impairment, the perception of dentition features such as tooth color, shape, size, and position may become psychosocially important [2]. Malocclusion can be described as a physical handicap when it limits a person’s social stereotype and opportunities [3]. Social and appearance norms set by peers and community may impact on individuals significantly [4] resulting in lack of self-esteem related to appearance with a sense of inferiority, having a negative impact on their quality of life [5]

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