The Impact of Fixed Orthodontic Therapy in Correction of Malocclusion in Adults

Abstract

Objective: To measure the impact of fixed orthodontic therapy in the correction of malocclusion in adults and to evaluate the influence of factors associated with this impact. Methods: The sample consisted of 288 adult patients who had undergone fixed orthodontic therapy. The adequacy of orthodontic treatment was assessed by the PAR index in models of initial and final study. Associated factors were divided into two groups: socio-economic demographic variables (gender, education level, type of service, age at end of treatment), and the independent orthodontic variables (DHC-IOTN, AC-IOTN, satisfactory use of retainer, conducting speech therapy, and main complaints). For data analysis, we used the chisquare tests and multivariate logistic regression for a confidence level of 95%. Results: Independent of associated factors, the improvement of the treated cases was greater than 88.2% of the sample, with significant improvement in cases with moderate or severe initial need of treatment (p = 0.008) and in patients older than 25 years at the time of treatment (p = 0.015). Conclusion: The orthodontic therapy resulted in significant improvement, especially in cases with moderate or severe orthodontic treatment need and in adults over the age of 25 years.