Psychological effects of orthodontics treatment in adolescent and adults

Orthodontic treatment, primarily using fixed appliances, aims to correct malocclusion and improve dental function, appearance and psychological well-being. While the psychological effects of orthodontic treatment have been studied, there is limited research directly comparing these effects between adolescents and adults. Hence a cross-sectional design was used to compare the psychological impacts of orthodontic treatment between 100 adolescents (aged 13-17) and 100 adults (aged 26-35). Participants were recruited from orthodontic clinics, with data collection including demographic information and pre- and post-treatment psychological assessments using the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ). Statistical analyses involved unpaired t-tests and chi-square tests to compare outcomes and examine associations between categorical variables. Adolescents showed significant improvements post-treatment, with notable reductions in PIDAQ scores from 44.25 at baseline to 28.90 post-treatment. Similarly, reductions in dental self-confidence (DSC) scores, social impact (SI) scores and psychological impact (PI) scores were observed. Adults also demonstrated positive changes, with PIDAQ scores decreasing from 38.64 to 32.85, alongside reductions in DSC and SI scores. Although PI scores showed a slight decrease, overall improvements in dental aesthetics and psychosocial aspects were noted. Significant p-values (< 0.001) across all measured parameters highlighted age as a significant factor influencing treatment outcomes. Our study highlights the significant psychosocial benefits of orthodontic treatment across different age groups and cultural settings. Both adolescents and adults experience improvements in self-esteem, social interactions, and overall quality of life post-treatment.