title: Adolescents' experiences of using removable functional appliances.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this qualitative study was to explore and describe adolescents' experiences of treatment with removable functional appliances.
  
  
  METHODS
  Public Dental Service, Gothenburg, Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individual interviews focusing on adolescents' experiences of using a removable functional appliance were held with 21 adolescents (12 girls and nine boys). The mean age of the participants was 13.2 years (range 11-15, SD 1.25) at the interview occasion. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed according to a qualitative research approach, phenomenography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Outcomes of data analysis emerged in five categories with totally 12 subcategories that describe the adolescents' various conceptions of the treatment. The adolescent's experiences of using removable functional appliance appeared to have a large variation, comprising of the individual approach, feelings and strategies, the dentist role and receiving external support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants developed their own strategies of measurement to see improvement. An active involvement of the adolescents' in the treatment seems to be needed, supported by the dentist at coming appointments, using overjet measurement as a tool for motivation. Furthermore, efforts should be made by clinicians to listen and understand adolescents' needs and requirement before the treatment start.
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Čirgić
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Kjellberg
authors: Department of Orthodontics, University Clinics of Odontology, Public Dental Service, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Hansen
authors: Institute of Health and Care Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.|Østfold University College, Halden, Norway.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lepp
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D017289:Orthodontic Appliances, Functional; D009968:Orthodontic Appliances, Removable; D057887:Overbite / Q000145:classification; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010358:Patient Participation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support
keywords: angle class II; functional appliances; interview; phenomenography; qualitative