Perfectionism, Self-Esteem, and Body Image Related to Self-Perception of Orofacial Appearance-Development and Validation of Psychometric Instrument.

PURPOSE: To develop an instrument for the assessment of perception of orofacial appearance and psychologic issues that can affect people's judgment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A panel composed of five members (one psychologist, two prosthodontists, one orthodontist, and one final-year dental student) generated 31 items that could draw specific hypothetical dimensions. The questionnaire was self-administered by individuals attending local high schools and a university (n = 261; 26.4% men and 73.6% women) in the 14- to 28-year age range. Internal consistency, construct validity, responsiveness, and temporal stability were assessed. RESULTS: Factorial analysis and Cronbach alpha identified four dimensions (self-esteem, perfectionism, body image, and smile appearance concern) that could be best addressed using 17 items. Internal consistency was good (α in the .70 to .80 range). The dimensions were correlated with existing instruments that measure similar constructs. In responsiveness testing, tooth whitening did not induce changes in perfectionism or body image; however, it did increase self-esteem and decrease esthetic concern (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The newly created instrument, Orofacial Appearance Perception Questionnaire, is a consistent and reliable short instrument that measures psychologic issues related to the perception of orofacial appearance.

Characteristics of Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain in Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PURPOSE: To compare characteristics of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to patients without RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample included 80 patients (aged 33 to 73 years; 88% women and 22% men) with 40 in each group. An international diagnostic protocol for TMDs was followed. RESULTS: Arthralgia was the most prevalent TMD in the RA group. Orofacial pain was more common in the RA group than in the controls (42.5% vs 15%, P = .031), with higher chronic pain grade and pain intensity (P ≤ .005). Somatization and depression were also increased (P < .001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, arthralgia (OR: 6.4; 95% CI: 1.1 to 37.1; P = .038) and age ≥ 55 years were predictors of RA (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.4 to 10.8; P = .009) when controlling for the effects of biological sex and pain intensity. TMDs were related to 7.4 times higher odds for presence of orofacial pain, while RA was related to 3.4 times higher odds for pain. CONCLUSIONS: RA patients experienced more orofacial pain and higher pain intensity, somatization, and depression compared to healthy individuals. Pain is more influenced by TMDs than by RA. Int J Prosthodont 2023;36:630-636.

Perfectionism, self-esteem and body image related to self-perception of orofacial appearance - development and validation of psychometric instrument.

PURPOSE: To develop an instrument for the assessment of perception of orofacial appearance and psychologic issues that can affect peoples' judgments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A panel composed of five members (one psychologist, two prosthodontists, one orthodontist, and one final-year dental student) generated 31 items that could draw specific hypothetical dimensions. The questionnaire was self-administered by individuals attending local high schools and university (N = 261; 26.4% men) in the 14- to 28-year age range. Internal consistency, construct validity, responsiveness, and temporal stability were assessed. RESULTS: Factorial analysis and Cronbach's alpha identified four dimensions (self-esteem, perfectionism, body image, and smile appearance concern) that could be best fitted by 17 items. Internal consistency was good (α in the 0.70 to 0.80 range). The dimensions were correlated with existing instruments that measure similar constructs. In responsiveness testing, tooth whitening did not induce changes in perfectionism or body image; however, it did increase self-esteem and decreased esthetic concern (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The newly created questionnaire is a consistent and reliable short instrument that measures psychologic issues related to the perception of orofacial appearance.

Changes in Quality of Life Induced by Tooth Whitening are Moderated by Perfectionism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To explore the influence of perfectionism on the short-term changes in satisfaction with smile esthetics and quality of life (QoL) induced by tooth whitening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 subjects were analyzed: 30 in the active group, in which the subject's anterior teeth were whitened with a photoactivated gel, and 30 in the placebo group. The Smile Esthetics-Related Quality of Life and Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale questionnaires were administered to all participants. RESULTS: The active group demonstrated an increase in dental self-confidence and a decrease in dissatisfaction with color (P < .05). The amount of color change did not correlate linearly with change in dissatisfaction or with QoL. In subjects with higher perfectionism, increasing the color change led to more decrease in dental self-consciousness. CONCLUSION: Perfectionism moderates perception of smile esthetics.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Influence of Tooth Color Elements on Satisfaction with Smile Esthetics.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the influence of tooth color on patients' satisfaction with the esthetics of their smiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A shade guide was used to determine the color of the maxillary anterior teeth in 671 participants. Self-reported satisfaction was assessed through five criteria: tooth appearance, color, shape, and position and appearance of the gingiva. The Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire and an Oral Impact on Daily Performances questionnaire were also used. RESULTS: The predictors of higher patient satisfaction were lower chroma, higher lightness, and uniform color of all maxillary anterior teeth. These are significant but weak predictors of satisfaction with smile esthetics. CONCLUSION: Color has a low level of influence on satisfaction with a smile's esthetics.

Treatment Outcomes Based on Patients' Self-Reported Measures after Receiving New Clasp or Precision Attachment-Retained Removable Partial Dentures.

PURPOSE: To evaluate effects of a treatment taking into consideration esthetics, chewing, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of two tooth replacement strategies for maxillary partially edentulous patients with clasp (C-RPD) and precision attachment (PA-RPD) retained removable partial dentures (RPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 150 patients (72 men, 78 women) who received maxillary RPDs; 88 patients received clasp and 62 patients received precision attachment retained RPDs. Patients completed three questionnaires before treatment and again 3 months after treatment: the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES), the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), and the Chewing Function Questionnaire (CFQ). Statistical analysis comprised descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and two-factor ANOVA. RESULTS: Both RPD treatments yielded better after-treatment summary scores when compared with the baseline scores (p < 0.01); however, better results were obtained in the PA-RPD group. Gender, as a single factor, did not yield significant effects; mutual interaction of retention type and gender yielded significant effects. The PA-RPD female group assessed esthetics, chewing function, and OHRQoL significantly better than males, and significantly worse than males in the C-RPD group. The covariate baseline scores yielded statistically significant effects; patients with worse pretreatment condition benefited more from both therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment outcomes were better in the PA-RPD group than the C-RPDs. Women showed greater concern for the treatment outcomes; their rates were significantly better than in male patients in the PA-RPD group; however, when their satisfaction was lower, their rates were significantly worse than in male patients (in the C-RPD group).

Multivariate analysis of different factors affecting the patient general satisfaction with complete dentures.

The aim of the study was to investigate different factors that affect the level of patient's general satisfaction with maxillary and mandibular complete dentures (CDs) using a multivariate analysis. A total of 100 CD wearers participated in this study. There were 46 men (37-77 years old; mean age 62.6 +/- 9.2) and 54 women (34-77 years old; mean age 60.9 +/- 9.3). In the questionnaire the patients answered the questions regarding gender, age, number of previous CDs worn, the present dentures' age and denture-wearing habits. Participants rated the level of their satisfaction with the esthetics, retention, speech, mastication, sense of taste, comfort and general satisfaction with their CDs. More than 70% of the examined patients claimed all the examined variables to be the best-score category. Of the 9 factors examined, satisfaction with the mastication and esthetics, denture-wearing habits and satisfaction with retention in the maxilla explained the variability of the patients's general satisfaction with their CDs by 72%. Satisfaction with the mastication, denture-wearing habits and satisfaction with speech and comfort in mandible explained the variability of the patients's general satisfaction with their CDs by 79%. These findings suggest that the general patient satisfaction with maxillary CDs is related more to the mastication and retention abilities, as well as with esthetics and denture-wearing habits, while in the mandible CDs is related to mastication and speaking abilities, denture-wearing habits and comfort of wearing.

Alterations in the masseter muscle and plasma IL-6 level following experimentally induced occlusal interference and chronic stress--a study in rats.

This study was undertaken to examine the alteration of masseter and plasma interleukin-6 after inducing occlusal interference and chronic stress. Male Wistar rats were submitted to chronic stress procedure, exposed to occlusal interference, or exposed to both mentioned procedures. Whole blood and masseter tissue were collected to determine interleukin-6 level, measured by means of ELISA. Masseter pain was evaluated using the orofacial formalin test. Masseter interleukin-6 level was significantly higher in animals submitted to combination of occlusal interference and chronic stress than in the control group (p<0.05). There was positive and significant correlation between pain response and masseter interleukin-6 level (r=0.5741; p<0.0003). No significant differences in plasma interleukin-6 level were found between groups (p>0.05), as well as no correlation with pain (p>0.05). Combination of occlusal interference and chronic stress leads to strong local reaction characterized by high levels of masseter interleukine-6. High concentrations of muscle interleukin-6 and its correlation with pain point to inflammatory background of masticatory muscle pain.

Factors influencing a patient's decision to choose the type of treatment to improve dental esthetics.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Interest in dental esthetics has increased rapidly during the last few decades among both patients and dentists, and the creation of a natural dental appearance has become an important task in all fields of dentistry, especially in prosthodontics and restorative dentistry. The aim of this research was to investigate factors influencing a patient's decision to choose the type of treatment to improve dental esthetics. METHODS: A total of 700 Caucasian subjects participated in the cross-sectional study (261 men, 439 women, aged 18-86 years, mean age 46.2 +/- 18.6). The study included clinical examination and a self-administrated questionnaire based on self-perceived esthetics, satisfaction with the appearance of their maxillary anterior teeth and previous dental experience. Multiple logistic regression was used in statistical analysis. RESULTS: Hiding teeth during smile was the most important predictor for choosing fixed prosthetic restorations (OR 9.1), followed by self-perceived bad fixed prosthesis, malpositioned teeth and female gender (OR 2.9, 2.4, and 1.5, respectively). The increase in satisfaction with dental appearance and previous orthodontic therapy reduced chances for seeking prosthetic therapy (each OR 0.4). The significant predictors for bleaching choosing were hiding teeth during smiling, already done bleaching, female gender, lower levels of satisfaction with dental appearance and the absence of the previous orthodontic therapy (OR 5.8, 2.4, 1.8, 0.5 and 0.4, respecitively). Hiding teeth during smile, self-perceived malposition and crowding, and lower levels of satisfaction, were significant predictors for choosing orthodontic treatment (OR 3.1, 2.4, 2.2 and 0.6, respectively). None of current dental statuses was statistically significant predictor for choosing prosthodontic, bleeching nor orthodontic therapy. CONCLUSION: The psychological elements and female gender are the main predictors of seeking dental therapy. Understanding the prevalence of dissatisfaction with the present esthetics and desired treatments to improve esthetics can be a guide for strategies for intervention to improve esthetics.

Influence of chronic stress and oclusal interference on masseter muscle pain in rat.

This study aimed to investigate the individual effects of chronic stress and occlusal interference, as well as their combined influence on masseter muscle pain. Experiments were performed on 28 male Wistar rats. Animals were submitted to chronic stress procedure, exposed to occlusal interference, or exposed to both mantioned procedures. At the end of the procedure animals were submitted to orofacial formalin test, and nociceptive behavioral response was evaluated. Statisticaly significant difference of nociceptive behavioral response in chronicaly stressed rats and in the animals with occlusal interference in comparation to the control group were not obtained (p > 0.05). In contrast, nociceptive behavioral response was significantly increased in rats submitted to both of experimental procedures (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that only combination of occlusal interference and chronic stress influence masseter muscle pain.