Patient-reported experience and outcomes from orthodontic treatment

Abstract

Objective: To measure patient-reported impact of orthodontic treatment in terms of pre-treatment concerns, treatment experience and treatment outcome. Setting: Four sites in Yorkshire, including two secondary care settings (Leeds Dental Institute and St Luke’s Hospital, Bradford) and two specialist orthodontic practices. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Participants: NHS orthodontic patients (aged 12+ years) who have completed comprehensive orthodontic treatment, excluding orthognathic surgery and craniofacial anomalies. Methods: Participants were opportunistically identified by the direct clinical care team during scheduled appointments and those eligible were invited to participate. Data were collected using the Orthodontic Patient Treatment Impact Questionnaire (OPTIQ), a validated 12-item measure with questions relating to pre-treatment experience, impact of treatment and outcome from treatment. Results: Completed questionnaires for analysis included 120 from primary care and 83 from secondary care. The most common pre-treatment concerns were alignment (89%) and being embarrassed to smile (63%). The most common expectations from orthodontic treatment were improved confidence to eat (87%) and smile (72%) in front of others, improved appearance of teeth (85%) and reduced teasing/bullying (63%). Only 67% respondents recalled receiving written information and the lowest recall related to retainer type and length of retention. The most commonly reported complications were sore mouth (68%), fixed appliance breakage (61%) and gingivitis (39%). Treatment caused greatest impact in relation to pain, limitations in eating and effect on speech. Overall satisfaction with orthodontic treatment was reported by 96% of respondents, 87% would have orthodontic treatment again (if needed) and 91% would recommend treatment to a friend. Conclusions: The OPTIQ is a useful patient-reported tool to identify pre-treatment concerns and expectations, treatment experience and outcome. Orthodontic treatment leads to high levels of satisfaction.

Patient satisfaction with orthodontic treatment and its impact on daily routines with regard to age, gender and social status: a contemporary survey

“…The vast majority of patients in this study were satisfied with their orthodontic treatment even though pain was present when applying their braces in most cases and to some extent during control visits. These results are in line with previous reports where high levels of satisfaction have been reported [7][8][9][12][13][14][15][16] and satisfaction and quality of life plays a crucial role in patient perception of the treatment [16,19,20].…”

“…Dissatisfaction with orthodontic treatment is rare but often associated with the duration of treatment, levels of pain and discomfort [7]. Nevertheless, majority of contemporary studies suggest that there is almost a unanimous satisfaction and acceptance of orthodontic treatment among patients and variables like age and gender may also play a role in the level of satisfaction [8][9][10][11][12][13]. It has been reported that novel treatment methods (e.g.…”

Facial aesthetic concern is a powerful predictor of patients' decision to accept orthognathic surgery

“…the main motivational factor. 18,19 This is explained by increased interest in facial aesthetics and dissatisfaction regarding appearance in young people. 15 This study showed it is more likely that people with high facial aesthetic concern will accept orthognathic surgery.…”

Effect of Enamel Pretreatment with Pastes Presenting Different Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) Values on Orthodontic Bracket Bonding Efficacy of Microfilled Composite Resin: In Vitro Investigation and Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Focusing on labial fixed appliances, the main discomforting situations consist of oral mucosal lesions, such as erosions, desquamations and ulcerations caused by brackets and archwires [4,5]. In addition, breakages of wires and brackets detachments can occur [5]; the problem is relevant as 61% of recalled patients from all the considered cohorts reported a breakage of a fixed orthodontic appliance [6].…”