Aesthetic dental treatment, orofacial appearance, and life satisfaction of Finnish and Brazilian adults

Abstract

Aims To study the probability of seeking/undergoing aesthetic dental treatment (ADT) and compare self-perception of orofacial appearance (OA) based on sex, age, and monthly income; and to estimate the impact of OA on life satisfaction (LS) among Finnish and Brazilian adults, considering the indirect effect of receiving ADT and the moderating effects of those sociodemographic variables. Methods This was an online cross-sectional study. Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES), Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used. Probability of seeking/receiving ADT was calculated using logistic regression and odds ratio (OR). OA scores were compared according to sociodemographic characteristics (ANOVA, α = 5%). Structural equations models estimated the impact of OA on LS. Results 3,614 Finns [75.1% female, 32.0 (SD = 11.6) years] and 3,979 Brazilians [69.9% female, 33.0 (SD = 11.3) years] participated in the study. Women were more likely to receive ADT than men in both countries (OR>1.3). However, no statistically or practical significant differences were observed in OA between sexes (p>0.05 or p<0.05, ηp2 = 0.00–0.02). In Finland, demand for ADT (OR = 0.9–1.0) and OA scores (p>0.05) were the same among different ages and monthly income. In Brazil, younger individuals (OR>1.6) and those with higher monthly income (OR>2.7) were more likely to receive ADT, while those with lower income had a greater psychosocial impact of OA (p<0.05; ηp2>0.07). Individuals who were more satisfied with their own OA and had less psychosocial impact from OA had higher levels of LS (β = 0.31–0.34; p<0.01; explained variance: 9.8–13.1%). Conclusion Demand for ADT is influenced by sociodemographic and cultural factors. Greater societal pressure on physical appearance is observed among women in Western countries. In countries with high socioeconomic inequalities, consumerism and social prestige are involved in this demand. Self-perception of orofacial appearance plays a significant role in individuals’ subjective well-being. Therefore, the planning of aesthetic treatments in the orofacial region should consider the patient’s perceptions and social context.

Consenting on essential oral health care benefit basket

“…In contrast, cosmetic dental services were highly debated, being perceived both as 'nonessential' and as 'essential'. The role of social participation, integration and stigmatization and with this, maintaining or recovering self-confidence, mental health and social participation, drove the discussion about the relevance of aesthetics and thereby the relevance of cosmetic treatments and oral health care more generally (Benson et al, 2015;Campos et al, 2023;Pithon et al, 2014). Aesthetic dental treatments can promote self-esteem and selfconfidence, which in turn, positively affects mental well-being and social participation, leading to reduced anxiety and depression.…”

Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the perceived prosthodontic treatment need scale: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses

“…It is important for dental professionals to recognise the preferences of patients who place a high value on natural aesthetics while simultaneously dismissing the influence of social media influencers and deceptive advertisements that promote idealised Hollywood smiles, which could have irreversible detrimental effects on oral health and teeth [ 29 , 41 , 42 ]. Furthermore, sociodemographic and cultural variables may influence the need for dental aesthetics [ 43 ]. It is crucial to conduct future cross-national research including various age groups, especially younger generations, in order to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of views towards dental aesthetics.…”

Digital versus Manual Tracing in Cephalometric Analysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The observed predominance of females over males in the majority of the reviewed studies raises intriguing considerations regarding gender distribution in cephalometric research. The higher representation of females could be attributed to multifaceted factors, with one plausible explanation being the heightened concern among females towards orofacial esthetics [ 45 ]. This inclination is consistent with existing literature suggesting that females often exhibit a greater awareness of and emphasis on facial appearance and dental aesthetics.…”