Self-esteem, self-perception of malocclusion, and motivation to seek orthodontic treatment

Objectives: The study examined whether a relationship exists between self-esteem, self-perception of malocclusion and motivation to seek orthodontic treatment. Methods: 49 patients were recruited from the Graduate Orthodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, UBC. An online survey inquired about their self-esteem, motivation to seek orthodontic treatment, and self-perceived esthetics of their malocclusion. The objective severity of malocclusion was assessed by a single examiner. Subjectively and objectively measured malocclusion were compared and subsequently related to patient self-esteem and their motivation to seek orthodontic treatment. Self-esteem was measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; self-perception of malocclusion through the aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment need (IOTN-AC); and the objective malocclusion severity by the IOTN-AC, IOTN-DHC (Dental Health Component) and by the Index of Complexity and Orthodontic Need (ICON). Patients indicated their motivation for treatment on a scale 1-100%. Results: Self-esteem and motivation to seek orthodontic treatment did not differ significantly with age, gender, objectively assessed severity or malocclusion, or self-perceived severity of malocclusion. Self-esteem was not significantly different among participants with different motivations to seek orthodontic treatment. Objective measures of malocclusion (IOTN-AC, ICON, IOTN-DHC) were significantly associated. Higher and lower self-esteem were not significantly related to an underestimation, or overestimation of self- perceived malocclusion severity (self-perception discrepancy). Motivation to seek treatment was significantly higher in participants with severe, as compared to mild treatment need when the severity of malocclusion was measured objectively using the ICON scale. Self-esteem was not significantly related to motivation to seek treatment when compared among objectively assessed malocclusion groups, self-perception groups, or self-perception discrepancy groups. Conclusions: Self-esteem was not related to objectively measured severity of malocclusion, self-perception of malocclusion, or the discrepancy between self-perception and objectively determined malocclusion severity. Motivation to seek treatment was not related to self-esteem or self-perception of the severity of the malocclusion but was related to the objectively measured malocclusion severity.Dentistry, Faculty ofGraduat