RESEARCH ARTICLE
Self-Perception of Malocclusion Among Nigerian Adolescents Using The Aesthetic Component of The IOTN
E.A Aikins*, 1, O.O daCosta2, C.O Onyeaso3, M.C Isiekwe2
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2012Volume: 6
First Page: 61
Last Page: 66
Publisher ID: TODENTJ-6-61
DOI: 10.2174/1874210601206010061
Article History:
Received Date: 26/1/2012Revision Received Date: 8/2/2012
Acceptance Date: 16/2/2012
Electronic publication date: 12/4/2012
Collection year: 2012
open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Introduction:
The practice of orthodontics is very young in South-South Nigeria and there is need for base line data for informed planning. This study was carried out to investigate the self-perception of malocclusion among Nigerian school children aged 12 to 18 years in order to compare their perception with that of an orthodontist and also to determine the influence of gender and age on self-perception.
Materials and Methodology:
A total of 612 randomly selected schoolchildren comprising 299 (48.9%) males and 313 (51.1%) females with a mean age of 15 + 2.0 years were included in the study, the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) was the instrument used to measure the perception of malocclusion by both the school children and the orthodontist.
Results:
Majority of the students (82.5%) rated their teeth towards the more attractive end of the scale (Grades 1-4). Although self - perception was not found to be related to gender, older children (16-18 years) had an increased level of perception of need. Males and older children were found to be more in need of treatment by the orthodontist.
Conclusions:
A significant difference was found between the orthodontist’s rating and the students’ ratings of the attractiveness of their occlusions. Age and gender were not found to influence self- perceived orthodontic treatment need. Therefore, for effective orthodontic care, self- perception and not only professional assessment must be taken into consideration when formulating treatment plans to ensure patient satisfaction.
