Changes in oral health-related quality of life during fixed orthodontic appliance therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Our objective was to determine changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) during fixed orthodontic appliance therapy. Methods: This prospective cohort study included a consecutive sample of 217 children receiving fixed orthodontic appliance therapy. Each subject completed the 37-item child perception questionnaire (CPQ) at 5 times: before treatment (T0), and after the placement of the fixed appliance at 1 week (T1), 1 month (T2), 3 months (T3), and 6 months (T4). Results: The response rate was 91% (198 of 217). There were significant changes in overall CPQ scores (P <.001), oral symptom scores (P <.001), functional limitation scores (P <.001), and emotional well-being scores (P <.001) over the study period (6 months). There were significant differences in certain CPQ domain scores at T1, T2, T3, and T4 compared with T0 (P <.05) and consistently with respect to oral symptoms. Significant changes in certain CPQ domain scores also occurred between T1 and T2 (P <.05) and between T2 and T3 (P <.05). However, there were no significant changes in social well-being scores (P >.05). Conclusions: Changes in OHRQoL occur after fixed orthodontic appliance therapy. Compared with pretreatment, a patient's OHRQoL is frequently worse during treatment (oral symptoms, functional limitations), although it is better in some aspects (emotional well-being). The period of greatest change in OHRQoL occurs during the first month of treatment. © 2008 American Association of Orthodontists.