Perbedaan harapan pasien terhadap perawatan ortodonti menggunakan alat cekat dan lepasanDifferences in patient expectations of orthodontic treatment with fixed and removable appliances

Introduction: Expectation is an important psychological factor affecting a patient’s evaluation and satisfaction level on the quality of treatment outcomes. It is essential to know the patient’s expectations of orthodontic treatment priorly because it is one of the main determinants of patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to analyse the differences in patient expectations of orthodontic treatment with fixed and removable appliances at Universitas Padjadjaran Dental Hospital. Methods: This research was cross-sectional analytic. The research subjects were 50 new patients (25 patients indicated for fixed orthodontic appliances and 25 patients indicated for removable orthodontic appliances) who visited the Orthodontic Clinics of Universitas Padjadjaran Dental Hospital, obtained by purposive sampling technique. Patients filled out a questionnaire on expectations of orthodontic treatment. The results were then processed and analysed using the t-test. Results: Patient expectations showed several significant differences (p<0.05) between fixed and removable appliances indicated patients; found in the matter of the expectation of having a dental x-ray examination at the first visit, the benefits teeth alignment treatment, ease the mastication process, increase the career opportunities, and provide social confidence. Expectations between female and male patients also showed a significant difference, though only found in the benefits of orthodontic treatment to ease the mastication process (p<0.05). Conclusions: There are differences in several aspects of patients’ expectations of orthodontic treatment, with a higher expectation value was found in fixed orthodontic appliances indicated patients.