Appliance wear: the patient's point of view.
Fifty-two patients (35 female, 17 male) completed questionnaires related to their experiences during the first 7 days of appliance wear (31 fixed, 21 removable) and then after 14 and 90 days. Most problems relating to discomfort and pain resolved within 4-7 days. The problems encountered with fixed appliances were generally more severe than with removable appliances. Swallowing and speech were more difficult with removable appliances and these problems persisted to some degree. Surprisingly, the embarrassment caused by wearing the appliance in public was similar whether it was fixed or removable.
Stewart
F N
FN
Orthodontic Unit, Glasgow Dental School, University of Glasgow, UK.
Kerr
W J
WJ
Taylor
P J
PJ
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012928:Social Desirability; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires