title: Judging orthodontic treatment complexity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate possible relations between anticipated overall treatment complexity (AOTC) of an orthodontic case and malocclusion characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups of orthodontists (groups A and B) were asked to define perceived treatment complexity (PTC) of orthodontic cases based on 16 characteristics of malocclusion by means of a questionnaire. Each question was answered on a six-point ordinal scale, with one "not applicable" option (score 0). Group A was also asked to give the AOTC of the specific case on a five-point ordinal scale. The index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) score of the specific cases as well as the malocclusion characteristics were assessed by one author.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is a significant relationship between IOTN and AOTC (p< 0.0001), 22% of variability is explained by differences in IOTN. Adding objective characteristics of malocclusion to explain AOTC does not significantly increase the explained variability (p = 0.086). In judging interobserver agreement, a weighted Kappa of 0.60 for group A and 0.56 for group B was found. The weighted Kappa for agreement in AOTC equals 0.06.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relation between IOTN and AOTC was found to be significant. Moderate agreement on PTC among observers and a low level agreement regarding AOTC were found in the present study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Maïté
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clijmans
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Aly
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Medhat
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: An De
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Geest
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Gastel
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kellens
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fieuws
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Willems
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D061326:Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires