INFLUENCE OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT ON THE OCCURRENCE OF TOOTH DECAY

Introduction: Obtaining better aesthetics and correct occlusion are the main reasons for undertaking orthodontic treatment in every patient. However, orthodontic treatment is predicted to increase the risk of carious lesions. Aim: To analyze the prevalence of tooth decay depending on gender, age, duration of orthodontic treatment and the type of malocclusion; and to evaluate the practice of oral hygiene and eating habits in orthodontic patients. Place and Duration: In the Orthodontic department of Nishtar Dental Hospital, Multan for six-months duration from March 2020 to August 2020. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 212 orthodontic patients (11 to 30 years of age) with fixed appliances for at least six months was conducted. A questionnaire form based on the "dental condition and need for treatment, WHO" was used to present the DMFT index and the incidence of dental caries. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the oral hygiene practice and eating habits of orthodontic patients. The relationship between dental caries and gender, age group, duration of orthodontic treatment and the type of malocclusion was analyzed with the chi-square test (p