Quality of life among adults with less severe malocclusions seeking orthodontic treatment.

Objective: Severe malocclusions affect Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL), but the effects of less severe malocclusions are underexplored. This study investigates OHRQoL and psychological well-being in adults with less severe malocclusion, but high subjective need of orthodontic treatment.

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study included 130 study participants aged 18-75 years, with less severe malocclusion. Two groups were assessed: 65 with high subjective orthodontic treatment need and 65 in a control group. Patients with malocclusions graded with Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need-Dental Health Component (IOTN-DHC) index 1, 2, or 3 were included. Three questionnaires were used: Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and a general appearance perception survey.

Results: The high subjective need group showed significantly higher OHIP-14 scores, reflecting poorer OHRQoL, compared to the control group. When age was considered, only the orofacial appearance subscale remained significant. No clinical signs of depression or anxiety were found among participants. However, a subset in the high subjective need group spent over an hour daily on their oral appearance.

Conclusions: Adults seeking orthodontic treatment despite low objective treatment need may have impacted OHRQoL and an impairment from the time spent on their oral appearance. Dentist should consider patients' subjective treatment needs and impact on daily functioning when treating patients with mild malocclusions.