title: The impact of orthodontic treatment on quality of life and self-esteem in adult patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of fixed orthodontic treatment on oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-esteem in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study design was applied, within private practice. Sample size estimation revealed a minimum of 52 subjects, allowing for drop outs. All participants completed a set of validated questionnaires at baseline (T0), 1- (T1), 3- (T2), and 6-months (T3) and post-treatment (T4). These included the Rosenberg Self-esteem scale, the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and a socioeconomic status questionnaire. The Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) was used to assess malocclusion severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-one subjects were recruited, with only one subject lost to follow-up. A statistically significant difference in OHRQoL scores was seen between: T0 and T1 (P = 0.001); T0 and T2 (P = 0.020). There was no statistical difference between T0 and T3 (P = 0.078) or T4 (P = 0.565), where OHRQoL improved to pre-treatment scores. A significant difference in self-esteem scores was observed between baseline and end of treatment (P = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Undergoing fixed orthodontic therapy had a negative impact on the overall OHRQoL, during the first 3 months of treatment, which then improved to pre-treatment scores, whilst a significant increase was observed in self-esteem as a result of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Oral Growth and Development, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
authors.forename: Ama
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johal
authors.affiliation: Oral Growth and Development, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alyaqoobi
authors.affiliation: Oral Growth and Development, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
authors.forename: Rachna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Oral Growth and Development, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cox
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D061326:Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult