Abstract
BackgroundAesthetic alterations in the face can be self-perceived and can affect quality of life. For young people, physical attractiveness is an important factor affecting social relationships. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of malocclusion, identify the most common types and test its association with oral aesthetic self-perception in 18 to 21 year-old population of male young adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out involving 138 Brazilian Army soldiers. Data collection included socio demographic profile, malocclusion status through the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) and oral aesthetic self-perception as indicated by the Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale (OASIS). The chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were used to test for homogeneity of proportions. The stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to test for the relationship between the poorer oral aesthetic self-perception and parental and soldier’s education, per capita income, history of caries in all teeth and only on anterior teeth, dental trauma, previous orthodontic treatment and malocclusion.ResultsThe prevalence of malocclusion was 45.6%. Incisor teeth crowding and misalignment of lower incisors were the most common types of malocclusions. A statistically significant and independent association between malocclusion and poorer oral aesthetic self-perception in the multivariate analysis was observed. Subjects with severe malocclusion conditions showed 88% higher prevalence [prevalence ratio =1.88 (95% CI, 1.30 – 2.72); p = 0.001] of poorer aesthetic self-perception comparing to those with minor malocclusion.ConclusionsA high prevalence of malocclusion was observed. The young adults presenting severe malocclusion had a higher and independent prevalence of poorer oral aesthetic self-perception.
Highlights
Aesthetic alterations in the face can be self-perceived and can affect quality of life
Despite the lack of consistent evidence, that malocclusion can affect psychosocial wellbeing in the long term [1] it has been claimed the facial features, especially oral aesthetics had a potential to influence self-perceived appearance [2] especially during the phase of life when there is intense social and affective interaction
The results in this study showed that 45.6% of the surveyed subjects had definite, severe or very severe malocclusion
Summary
Aesthetic alterations in the face can be self-perceived and can affect quality of life. Despite the lack of consistent evidence, that malocclusion can affect psychosocial wellbeing in the long term [1] it has been claimed the facial features, especially oral aesthetics had a potential to influence self-perceived appearance [2] especially during the phase of life when there is intense social and affective interaction. Aesthetic alterations in the face can be self-perceived and can affect quality of life [4,5,6]. Among young adults in Finland, the primary motives for orthodontic treatment were to improve dental appearance and attitudes toward malocclusion [7]. Reduced susceptibility to dental caries and trauma, periodontal disease and temporomandibular disorders have been mentioned as possible benefits of orthodontic treatment, but research has consistently failed to provide solid evidence of social or psychological benefits from orthodontic treatment [9]
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