Impact of severity of malocclusion and self-perceived smile and dental aesthetics on self-esteem among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The psychological impact of malocclusion, social acceptance, self-esteem, and the development of personality traits are considerations that can affect the demand for orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of malocclusion severity and self-perceived smile and dental aesthetics on self-esteem among adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study was performed among 393 adolescents (210 females and 183 males) at a university teaching hospital in Nigeria. The need for orthodontic treatment was assessed using the Dental Aesthetic Index, whereas self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Smile analysis was performed on photographs of posed smiles, whereas photographs of posed smiles and intraoral frontal view with teeth in centric occlusion were rated with the Visual Analog Scale for self-perception of smile and dental aesthetics. A comparison of variables among self-esteem groups was made using the ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests, whereas an association among all variables was examined using the correlation coefficient. Stepwise regression analysis examined the effects of independent variables on self-esteem. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between self-esteem and self-perceived smile (r = 0.294; P < 0.001) and dental aesthetics (r = 0.212; P < 0.001). Adolescents with high self-perceived smile (mean ± standard deviation, 7.66 ± 2.20) and dental aesthetics (6.68 ± 2.58) had higher self-esteem than participants with low self-perceived smile (4.75 ± 2.73) and dental aesthetics (4.36 ± 2.29). Self-perceived smile aesthetics had the most predictive impact on self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that self-perception of smile and dental aesthetics is a significant factor that influences self-esteem among adolescents.

Orthodontic treatment motivation and cooperation: A cross-sectional analysis of adolescent patients' and parents' responses.

INTRODUCTION: Motivation for orthodontic treatment among adolescents has been linked with patients' response during treatment. Parents have also been seen to be influencing factors in patient motivation. This study investigates the motivation for orthodontic treatment among patients and their parents/guardians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from 100 orthodontic children (41 boys, 59 girls), with a mean age of 11.9 years, in the age range of 7-17 years, and with parents/guardians from three public hospitals. Recruitment focused on patients and their parents at their initial screening appointment and those scheduled for regular orthodontic treatment. Data were collected by the use of survey forms for both patients and parents. Data were analyzed using Epi info™ version 3.5.1. RESULTS: Children were more motivated to have orthodontic treatment than their parents before treatment, however parents showed greater motivation for their children to have orthodontic treatment than did the children during treatment. Children on treatment were less motivated than those who have not started treatment. Using braces was more important to children than their parents. Parents of children on treatment were more motivated for their children to have orthodontic treatment than parents of children who were not yet on treatment. Children undergoing orthodontic treatment were not willing to have extractions as part of their treatment, while parents did not have much objections (P = 0.001). Parents were willing to comply with dietary instructions imposed on their children. (P = 0.45). Pretreatment, children were more willing to brush after meals than the ones undergoing treatment (0.010). CONCLUSION: Parents of children on treatment were more motivated for their children to have orthodontic treatment than parents of children who were not yet on treatment. Children on treatment were less motivated during treatment.

Motivational factors and future plans of nigerian orthodontic residents.

This study was conducted to investigate factors influencing career choice of Nigerian orthodontic residents and to identify their future plans. All orthodontic residents in the Nigerian residency training programs were invited to complete a survey in July 2010. Data were categorized by demographic variables and were analyzed with statistical methods including chi-square analyses. Twenty-eight of the thirty-seven orthodontic residents in Nigeria completed the survey. The most important factor influencing the decision to pursue specialty training in orthodontics was a "passion for orthodontics" (42.9 percent), followed by "intellectual stimulation/challenge" (25 percent). The decision to become an orthodontist was made by 32.1 percent of the respondents while in dental school; 35.7 percent decided after completing dental school during private practice and 14.3 percent during a dental residency, while 3.6 percent had already decided before starting their dental school studies. Eleven residents (39.3 percent) said they plan to work in a private practice environment. Only four residents indicated that they will most likely practice primarily in an academic setting, while ten were undecided. Most residents (85.7 percent) reported planning to practice in an urban setting. A passion for orthodontics was the major attraction for orthodontic residency training for most residents in Nigeria, and few residents were considering academic career choices after graduation.