Dental esthetic impact of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need based on self-perception among university students

Aims

The objectives of this study were to assess the self-perceived esthetic orthodontic treatment need, to determine esthetic impact of malocclusion and investigate the effect of factors including gender and courses to the need of orthodontic treatment among university students.

Methods

A random study of 275 subjects among 18–25 year old university students from International Medical University (IMU) were evaluated using 2 scales; the Aesthetic Component of Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (AC) and Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale (OASIS) and one direct question.

Results

The data were analyzed to evaluate the subjective orthodontic treatment need, aesthetic impact of malocclusion, and perceived orthodontic treatment need.

In the study, 55.7% of the students experienced negative perception and 44.3% have positive self-perception. Female perceived more negative perception (AC-OASIS) as compared to male, 35.3% and 20.4% respectively. The Mann–Whitney U Test was used to compare the total AC-OASIS score between males and females showed positive significance, p = 0.05. The comparison between dentistry and non-dentistry students shows no significant difference in perception, p > 0.05.

Conclusion

There was no difference in the level of orthodontic treatment need among students from different courses, but impact of malocclusion was higher in females compared to males.