The Impact of Malocclusion on the Quality of Life
Ahmad, D., Khalil, F., Saleh, H. and Al Haideri, R.
Students at the Dentistry College, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
: Dent Health Curr Res
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to evaluate the physical, social, and psychological impacts of malocclusion on quality of life. A cross-sectional study of size 120 adults (38 Males, 82 Females) with an age range of 18 to 35 years old was conducted. Consent was obtained and dental conditions were assessed. The types of malocclusions studied included: open bite, overbite, reversed overjet, increased overjet, posterior crossbite, scissor bite, lateral open bite and sagittal-molar classification. The short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was used to measure the participants’ self-perceived variables. Descriptive statistics showed that psychological discomfort and physical pain were the two most affected domains, with the least being physical disability, irrespective to the type of malocclusion. Regression analysis revealed significant associations, with the posterior crossbite (P=0.006) and deep bite (P=0.035) types of malocclusions showing a relatively greater impact on total OHIP scores. Functional limitation, Handicap, and social disability were the most affected domains. In addition, Angle’s class 2 malocclusion also appeared to have an impact on the handicap domain of OHIP (P=0.039). T-test analysis revealed no significant differences in scores in relation to gender.
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