Evaluation of weight alteration in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment in KIST dental hospital

Introduction: Fixed orthodontic treatment is the most favored treatment of choice of young individuals nowadays who are motivated by a desire to improve appearance.1 Fixed orthodontic treatment usually takes around 1½ to 3 years for its completion and during this duration many dietary restrictions and modifications are advised.2 The changes in dietary patterns might result in an increase or decrease in weight. This present study is conducted to assess the amount of weight loss in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Methods: The height and weight of the study population was measured using stadiometer and digital weighing scale respectively. BMI of each individual was calculated. These measurements were taken three times in the duration of the study; first measurement collected pretreatment, second measurement in 1st follow up after starting of fixed orthodontic treatment and the third measurement will be collected in 2nd follow up i.e. after 2 months. The results were tabulated and analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS). The mean changes between different parameters in three visits were compared. Results: When we compared the pretreatment weight and weight at 1st follow up statistically significant difference was observed. Similarly, the difference in pretreatment weight and weight at 3rd follow up was found statistically significant. The difference in pretreatment BMI and BMI at 2nd follow up was statistically not significant. Similarly the difference in pretreatment BMI and BMI at 3rd follow up was also statistically not significant. Conclusion: This study confirms the reduction in weight seen in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment in the first month after initiation of treatment. If the nutritional demand and the intake can be monitored during the treatment, proper health can also be maintained for a long run along with the proper treatment outcome.