A study on the psychosocial implications of malocclusion in korean males of their earely twenties

ABSTRACT

It is very important for oral and maxillofacial surgeon to understand the attitude of maxillofacial deformity patients toward their deformity. The patients' expectations from surgery, motivations, and the psychological meanings of maxillofacial deformity are considerd by surgeon. The patient's satisfaction and self-assessment on his or her apperance and malocclusion are influenced by realistic condition more and less. There are some differences in points of view on malocclusion between specialist and lay-persons. Some differences from social and cultural base may exist as well. The study of psychological implications of malocclusion with general public will be a foundation in understanding of malocclusion patients. The authers studied the relation between malocclusion and body image, self-perception of malocclusion, social meanings of malocclusion with Korean men around early twenties The results were as follows 1. The malocclusion played important role in body image. 2. There was difference in the weight of teeth in body image distortion according to the malocclusion. 3. Dissatisfaction aginst his malocclusion was salient in the groups of mandibular prognathism, anterior both crowding, deep overjet . The gruops of deep overjet, anterior both crowding weresusceptibe to the teasing in adolescence period.