Factors Influencing Fixed Orthodontic Treatment Outcomes in a University Dental Clinic

Factors Influencing Fixed Orthodontic Treatment Outcomes in a University Dental Clinic

Objective: To assess the orthodontic treatment outcomes in a university dental clinic and to determine factors associated with the treatment outcomes. Methods and materials: Firstly, the records of all patients who have completed fixed orthodontic treatment from 2012 to 2017 were identified and included in the study. Age at start of treatment, gender, decayed, missing filled teeth (DMFT), malocclusion classification, type of appliance used and type of treatment (extraction or non-extraction) were recorded. The pre-treatment and posttreatment study models were assessed by the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index. The treatment outcomes were tabulated in a nomogram to show the proportions of subjects in different categories: ''worse or no difference'', ''improved'' and ''greatly improved''. Mann-Whitney U-test was used to determine any significant associations between the recorded factors and treatment outcomes. Results: The fixed orthodontic treatment reduced the mean PAR by 28.6 points, or 84.1%. All cases showed improvement, 69.8% of the cases were greatly improved. Males and extraction cases were significantly linked with higher pre-treatment PAR scores. The use of self-ligating appliances was shown to be significantly associated with better treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Based on the general classification criteria of the index, the results showed that the patients received a high standard of treatment. None of the factors studied was significantly associated with the treatment outcomes, except for the use of self-ligating appliances.