engleski

Body image and quality of life related to malocclusion

Objectives: Body image is the mental representation an individual creates of themselves. The aim was to explore relationship between malocclusion, body image and quality of life in adolescence. Methods: The sample consisted of 200 subjects aged 10-17 years (55% females) referred for orthodontic consultations in three regional centres in Croatia (Osijek, Rijeka and Split). Occlusal characteristics were assessed by using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-DHC) and Little’s Irregularity Index of incisors in both arches. Smile aesthetics was graded by Aesthetic Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-AC) separately by adolescents and clinicians. Adolescents self-administrated Malocclusion Impact Questionnaire (MIQ) and Orofacial Appearance Perception Questionnaire (Body Image dimension). Results: In univariate analyses adolescents body image did not correlate with malocclusion severity, orthodontic treatment need, impact of malocclusion on quality of life, sex nor age. Predictors of malocclusion impacts in multiple linear regression were sex, age, IOTN-AC assessed by orthodontist, body image and IOTN-DHC. The whole model accounted for 30% of variance (p<0.001). Gender and age had a higher unique effect on the quality of life (11 and 5%) than the severity of malocclusion (IOTN-AC 4% and IOTN-DHC 2%) and body image (3%). Females, with older age, a more positive body image and a greater impairment of smile aesthetics, but also a lower clinical need for orthodontic treatment, presented a greater impact of malocclusion on their quality of life. Conclusion: Malocclusion impacts in adolescents are mostly influenced by gender and age while less by body image and malocclusion severity.

malocclusion ; quality of life ; adolescent ; impact ; body image

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