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. 2017 Oct-Dec;6(4):123-128.
doi: 10.4103/jos.JOS_16_17.

Effect of malocclusion on the self-esteem of adolescents

Salwa Mahmoud Taibah  1 , Fadia Mohammed Al-Hummayani  1
Affiliations

Effect of malocclusion on the self-esteem of adolescents

Salwa Mahmoud Taibah et al. J Orthod Sci. 2017 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Esthetics plays an essential role in orthodontic treatment. The psychological effects of malocclusion are an inspiration to improve one's esthetics and seek treatment.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess relationships between self-esteem and malocclusion severity and type in adolescents using a self-esteem measurement scale and the index of treatment need (IOTN) and to investigate the influence of age, sex, and school type in these relationships.

Materials and methods: Adolescent students aged 12-19 years randomly selected from four private and two governmental schools were enrolled for this study. After completing the self-esteem questionnaire, participants were examined by researchers to evaluate malocclusion severity and type using the IOTN.

Results: The sample consisted of 886 participants: 558 females (62.9%) and 328 males (37.1%) with a mean age of 16 years. Chi-square analysis showed that 17.1% of males and 31% of females showed low levels of self-esteem, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Cases with multiple malocclusions showed significantly lower self-esteem (P = 0.018) compared with single-category malocclusion. Anterior teeth spacing, crowding, and overjet malocclusion showed the highest percentages of low self-esteem.

Conclusions: The present study supports that malocclusion has negative effects on self-esteem; multiple malocclusions with spacing, crowding, and overjet had the greatest effects.

Keywords: Adolescent; index of treatment need; malocclusion; self-esteem.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

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