Orthodontic treatment outcome assessment using peer assessment rating [PAR] index

ABSTRACT

The crosssectional study was carried out to determine the degree of improvement in malocclusion after orthodontic treatment provided at the Aga Khan University Hospital [AKUH], Karachi, and to find out which malocclusion showed a marked reduction in PAR score after orthodontic treatment. It was conducted from March 2007 to April, 2007. This study evaluated the last 50 consecutively finished orthodontic cases using PAR index. The material consisted of pre- and post treatment casts and orthodontic files. Pre- and post-treatment PAR score was calculated for each patient. All patients who received complete orthodontic treatment at this hospital and whose good quality records were available were included in the study. Re-treatment cases and patients transferred out of hospital were excluded. Records of 50 patients [38 females and 12 males] were evaluated for PAR score. The mean reduction in the PAR score was 24 points [91.95%]. The number of patients in 'greatly improved' category was 30 [60%], in 'improved' category 19 [38%] and in 'worse/no different' category 1 [2%]. Statistically significant correlation was found between percentage PAR score reduction and pretreatment PAR score. A significantly higher orthodontic treatment standard was achieved. The mean reduction in PAR score was almost 92%. The percentage of patients in 'Greatly improved' category was 60%. A significant correlation [p<0.001] was found between pre-treatment PAR score and percentage reduction in PAR score