An evaluation of self-esteem and quality of life in orthodontic patients: Effects of crowding and protrusion

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective:  To evaluate the effect of dental crowding and lip protrusion on self-esteem and quality of life (QOL) in female orthodontic patients with Class I malocclusion. Materials and Methods:  The study sample consisted of 201 patients (mean age 22.6 ± 3.0 years) who sought orthodontic treatment. All the patients were evaluated before treatment in terms of their degree of dental crowding and lip protrusion. Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale and the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) were used to determine self-esteem and QOL and to evaluate whether these values were related to malocclusion severity. Results:  The results indicated that severe crowding and severe protrusion can result in lower self-esteem and poorer QOL (P < .05) than mild crowding and protrusion in Class I malocclusion. In the oral function component of the OQLQ, the severity of protrusion did not have significant effect. Conclusions:  In Class I malocclusion, patients with mild crowding or protrusion had significantly better self-esteem and QOL scores than severe crowding or protrusion patients.