Evaluation of the Effect of Orthodontic Treatment on Tooth Color Changes in Patients Referring to the Specialty Clinic of Zahedan Faculty of Dentistry

Purpose: Orthodontic treatment interferes with oral hygiene and can discoloration. Therefore, given the importance of tooth discoloration for patients, the present study determined the effect of orthodontic treatment on tooth color changes. Materials and methods: Thirty-six patients under orthodontic treatment were evaluated. Photographs were taken before and after orthodontic treatment to evaluate color changes of the teeth. The photos were evaluated by experts and laypeople. The researcher completed a questionnaire consisting of each patient’s demographic data and treatment information (the composite resin type, the bonding agent type, and the bracket and wire types). Then, the relationships between these variables and tooth discoloration were analyzed. McNermar test was used to compare tooth color distribution status before and after orthodontic treatment. Chi-squared or Fisher’s tests were used to compare the tooth discoloration distribution status in terms of each variable studied. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between demographic variables and tooth discoloration. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: Tooth colors were different before and after treatment. There were no significant relationships between tooth discoloration and the variables of composite resin type, bonding agent, bracket type, and gender. However, the relationship between age and tooth discoloration was significant. Conclusion: Various factors affect tooth color changes after orthodontic treatment. Although the majority of the factors evaluated in the present study did not alone have a significant relationship with tooth discoloration, it can be claimed that tooth discoloration due to orthodontic treatment is a multifactorial finding with several confounding factors.