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Psychological and social effects of orthodontic treatment

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Abstract

Adolescents with commonly occurring forms of malocclusion often are presumed to be at risk for negative self-esteem and social maladjustment. A randomized control group design was used to assess the psychosocial effects of orthodontic treatment for esthetic impairment. Ninety-three participants, 11 to 14 years old, with mild to moderate malocclusions, were randomly assigned to receive orthodontic treatment immediately or after serving as delayed controls. A battery of psychological and social measures was administered before treatment, during treatment, and three times after completion of treatment, the last occurring one year after termination. Repeated measures analyses of variance assessed group differences at the five time points. Parent-, peer-, and self-evaluations of dental-facial attractiveness significantly improved after treatment, but treatment did not affect parent- and self-reported social competency or social goals, nor subjects' self-esteem. In summary, dental-specific evaluations appear to be influenced by treatment, while more general psychosocial responses are not.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Applied Dentistry and Psychology, University of Colorado, 914 Broadway, Campus Box 35, 80309, Boulder, Colorado

    Judith E. N. Albino

  2. Psychological Service at National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, DC

    Sandra D. Lawrence

  3. Department of Periodontics, Prevention, and Geriatrics, University of Michigan, 48109, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Lisa A. Tedesco

Authors
  1. Judith E. N. Albino
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  2. Sandra D. Lawrence
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  3. Lisa A. Tedesco
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Additional information

This research was supported by Grant NIH-NIDR-R01-DE06154 from the National Institute of Dental Research.

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Albino, J.E.N., Lawrence, S.D. & Tedesco, L.A. Psychological and social effects of orthodontic treatment. J Behav Med 17, 81–98 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01856884

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