Psychological health of patients wearing orthodontic appliances

Relevance of the problem and aim of the work: orthodontic appliances that treat dental anomalies may cause unpleasant feelings and pain. It could influence person‘s, especially teenager‘s, psychological well – being and quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess influence of psychological well – being of orthodontically treated patients with removable and fixed appliances. Material and the methods: 339 patients answered anonymous questionnaire. They were devided into four groups: 1) removable orthodontic appliances, age group 7 – 14 years 2) fixed orthodontic appliances, age group 7 – 14 years 3) removable app. age group 15 and older 4) fixed app. age groups 15 and older. Results: more than 40 % patients feel not great wearing orthodontic appliances. 53,7 % at least once felt unhappy while wearing orthodontic appliances. Statistically significant value between patients wearing fixed appliances (p=0,002). 42 % of patients think of their psychological well being less than good. 16 % of patients always feel pain while wearing appliances and 59 % feel pain occasionally. Patients wearing fixed appliances feel pain more often (p=0,0008). Average mean for pain is 4,47. Group wearing fixed appliances complained about uncomfortable eating more often (p=0,0006). Speech disorder was seen in removable orthodontic appliances wearing patients. Half of respondents complained about increased salivation, significantly higher in removable appliances group (p=0,02). 10,4 % of patients sometimes experience bullying. Conslusion: respondents psychological well – being ir good or average. Patients wearing removable appliances faced speech difficulties more frequently. From this study questionnaire patients wearing removable appliances feel better than patients wearing fixed appliances. Women tend to care more about their teeth appearance