Does orthodontic treatment improve oral health-related quality of life?

Abstract

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China Biology Medicine disc and Goggle-Scholar databases and the journals; American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, European Journal of Orthodontics, Angle Orthodontist, Journal of Orthodontics and World Journal of Orthodontics. Studies in patients receiving orthodontic treatment (fixed, removable appliance or interceptive) with outcomes that showed changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) from baseline (pre-treatment) to follow-up after at least one month were considered. Two reviewers independently selected studies and abstracted data. Pooling of data was based on study design, population characteristics, outcomes and OHRQoL-domains affected. A narrative summary was planned. Eleven studies were included (six cohort studies, four cross-sectional studies, one case-control study). The majority (seven studies) were conducted among child/adolescent populations. An observed association between quality of life and orthodontic treatment was generally detected irrespective of how they were assessed. However, the strength of the association could be described as modest at best. Findings of this review suggest that there is an association (albeit modest) between orthodontic treatment and quality of life. There is a need for further studies of their relationship, particularly studies that employ standardised assessment methods so that outcomes are uniform and thus amenable to meta-analysis.