Assessment of orthodontic treatment needs by teenagers in an Asian community in Singapore.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the preference of dental occlusion types among teenagers, and (2) their assessment of the necessity for orthodontic treatment. A total of 1189 teenagers (mean age 15.3 +/- 3.2 years) were asked to rank a series of colour photographs of seven occlusion types. Their ranking, in descending order of attractiveness, were as follows: Class I occlusion, anterior open bite, Class III occlusion, Class II occlusion, anterior spacing, anterior crowding and deep bite occlusion. The perceived need for treatment was found to be inversely correlated with the rank order of attractiveness. There appeared to be no statistical difference (P less than 0.05) in the perception for treatment among different racial and income groups. However, with the exception of anterior open bite and deep overbite occlusions, a statistically significant (P less than 0.05) greater number of females than males perceived a need for treatment. Assessment of occlusal disharmonies among teenagers could provide clinicians and health care personnel with an indication of the relative attractiveness among occlusion types and hence the establishment of treatment priorities.