Impact of three malocclusion traits on the quality of life of orthodontic patients.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Malocclusion can have a negative impact on the quality of life, affecting the individual physically and psychosocially. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of three malocclusion traits on the quality of life of the patients.

METHODOLOGY: This was a clinic-based, comparative, cross-sectional study involving 120 patients between 10 and 20years of age, with crowding, spacing and increased overjet. There were also 40 control subjects. The quality of life was determined using the Oral Health Impact Profile short-form (OHIP-14).

RESULTS: Each of the malocclusion traits studied was found to significantly affect the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of the patients relative to the controls. Thirty-two percent of those with malocclusion had impact on their quality of life compared with three percent of those in the control group.

CONCLUSION: OHQoL was poorer in patients with malocclusion and patients with increased overjet recorded the highest level of impact on their quality of life.