Patient Perceptions and Unique Requests in Orthodontic Treatment: Oral Health, Functionality, and Aesthetics
Authors: Peeva Yulia Bogdanova 
Published: January 2025

Introduction: The question of human beauty depends on the canons in different cultures, but it also changes over time and place. So, if the beaty understanding in the worldwide differ how to be sure that something or especially the face and smile are beautiful? The answer to the question seems to be based on the proportions and personal perceptions of beauty. Scientists, artists and philosophers are increasingly aware of the central mathematical/geometrical application of beauty in nature. The dentist could “catch” the beauty in the simplicity of the smile.

The aim of the current study is to represent the boundaries in esthetics and harmonious perceptions of patient and doctor that can lead to successful orthodontic treatment.

Materials and methods: 872 patients were examined to assess the aesthetic needs for orthodontic treatment in children and adults during a sociological survey. They differ in their orthodontic needs and patients in their understanding of beauty. Some of them had unusual requests to the orthodontist. Children (n=260) participated in the study with an average age of 12.56 ± 3.14 years, respectively 12.38 ± 3.22 years for boys and 12.69 ± 3.07 years for girls, P>0.05. The number of adult patients who participated in the study was n=612. At the age of 36-40 years, the sex distribution was 32.39 ± 3.21% for women and 9.39 ± 2.0% for men, P<0.05 (u=14.60).

Results and Discussion: Two factors were extracted as significant for aesthetics according to the respondents. For this purpose, Principal Component Analysis – PCA was used, and the parents and children expectations at the first orthodontic consultation were analyzed. The results were compared with those achieved at the end of treatment. At baseline, the statements “I want to have straightened teeth”, “My parents want them, I don’t want to wear braces” and “I don’t like my teeth look” had the highest correlation coefficients, respectively rxy=0.90, rxy=0.87, rxy=0.83. In the final stage of treatment, the children’s opinions focused on the long-term benefits of orthodontic treatment. “I want to be more confident”, “I want to have a lot of success in the future because I can smile more now”, “My teeth will be healthier because they are straight and I know how to clean them”, respectively rxy=0.93, rxy=0.90, rxy=0.88. Factorial signs in the perception of function and aesthetics in the maxillofacial region were evaluated.

Conclusions: Social medicine is the unifying link between the patient's (subjective) and the doctor's (objective) understandings of disease or condition (beauty). Awareness is that stone "that can overturn a car on the road." Inappropriate (such as age, gender, social group) awareness can affect the psycho-social perception of the problem and create complexes in the patient's perception. This process is particularly noticeable when evaluating the aesthetics of the orofacial complex. In fact, one of society's expectations from the dentist is to educate. To educate in aesthetics and beauty through his work. And to manage patient’s perceptions of what is good or bad in facial esthetics.