Prevalence of Malocclusion in the Southern Region of Jeddah, KSA, and Its Impact on Quality of Life - A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Dental malocclusion not only affects the functional abilities and aesthetic features of an individual, but also affects the psychological status of an individual. The study aims to address the necessity of orthodontic treatment using the Orthodontic Treatment Needs Index (IOTN) and its influence on the individual’s quality of life using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) Index on adults undergoing dental treatment in Ibn Sina National college, dental clinics. METHODS 401 adult subjects undergoing treatment at Ibn Sina National College, dental clinics were selected randomly for the study. The subjects were examined by 5 calibrated dentists. For each patient, two indices, IOTN and OHIP-14 were recorded. Each subject’s relationship of teeth was recorded on a dental chair equipped with natural and dental light. Angle’s molar and canine classification, overjet, overbite were recorded to reach an IOTN score. The influence on quality of life was determined using the OHIP-14 index by asking questions regarding functional limitation, physical pain and disability, and social discomfort. RESULTS Out of 401 participants, 57.4 % were females and 42.6 % were males. The mean age of the participants was found to be 29.94 ± 10.75 years. The functional limitations for pronouncing words among the participants were statistically significant. Physical pain and disability, psychological discomfort and disability, as well as social disability domains showed a statistically significant association, whereas the relationship of handicapped with IOTN grades were not statically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Prevention is better than cure. Masticatory difficulty has been noted among class III, class II, and class I malocclusions respectively in descending order with class III facing the most difficulty. It has been noted that malocclusion in different scales affected individual’s ability to process and break down food. Early diagnosis and treatment are important. KEY WORDS Malocclusion, OHIP, IOTN, Orthodontic Treatment, Quality of Life.