Impact of Duration of Orthodontic Treatment on Periodontal Health and Treatment Needs of Patients

Abstract

Malocclusion is highly prevalent and can also affect the general health of patients. Orthodontic treatment is required to treat malocclusion. This treatment often leads to a deterioration in periodontal and general oral health of patients. Objective: To assess the impact of duration of orthodontic treatment on periodontal health and treatment needs of patients. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was done on a total of 51 individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment. The data were collected from July 2021 to June 2023 after obtaining ethical clearance. All participants above the age of 12 years irrespective of their gender were included in the study. Participants who had mixed dentition or other systemic illness were not included. Data were collected using the Community Periodontal index for treatment needs (CPITN). Results: The difference in CPITN scores across orthodontic treatment groups with respect to duration (p=0.382) was not significant. All groups irrespective of their treatment duration required Basic oral hygiene instructions (TN1) while Complex treatment (TN3) was only required by patients undergoing treatment for more than a year. Conclusions: Basic oral hygiene instructions (TN1) were the treatment need of all patients from all groups irrespective of their treatment duration. An equal percentage of patients from all three treatment groups required (TN2) while (TN3) was only required by patients undergoing treatment for more than a year.