(440) Quality of Life, Including Sexual Life of Orthodontic Appliance Users
Authors: Bijoch J , Zborowska K , Skrzypulec-Plinta V 
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Orthodontic treatment is closely related to the quality of life, including sexual life. Oral health obliges us to take a holistic approach to sexual health. Regarding the sexuality of orthodontic appliance users, no such studies have been conducted so far.

Objective

The main goal of the study was to analyze the quality of life, including sexual life of orthodontic appliance users.

Methods

922 people over 18 years old who were undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances or aligners were selected for the study. Data for the study were obtained using two standardized questionnaires: The Satisfaction With Life Scale and The Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire, a metric and an author’s questionnaire.

Results

The study group consisted of 922 people, including 718 women and 204 men, aged 20 to 56 years. All subjects were undergoing orthodontic treatment. Among the respondents, both men and women, the treatment process with the use of classic fixed appliances with metal brackets (n = 544) was dominating. Another group of orthodontic appliance users were patients with fixed appliances with aesthetic brackets (ceramic, porcelain, crystal) (n = 194). The patients treated with aligners were found only in the women's group (n = 145). The average orthodontic treatment time ranged from 1 to 1.5 years, however, there were individuals treated for more than 2 years. The mean score of satisfaction with life in the study group was 20.85. The study showed that men achieve statistically significantly higher results than women on the Satisfaction With Life Scale (p &lt;0.00). The mean score of sexual satisfaction in the study group was 31.10. Regarding the selfassessment of sexual satisfaction, a statistically significant difference was noticed between women and men (p &lt;0.001) – men assessed their sexual life higher than women. The relationship between sexual satisfaction and self-esteem in sexual life proved to be closely related. The self-esteem of the respondents was consistent with the results obtained in a standardized questionnaire and the high self-esteem rate was accompanied by high, objectively assessed sexual satisfaction scores. Sexual satisfaction was also strongly correlated with the respondents' attitude to the orthodontic appliances, the level of satisfaction with the relationship, and the frequency of sexual intercourse. The study demonstrated positive correlations of the sexual satisfaction score with the overall quality of life.

Conclusions

The attitude of the respondents to the orthodontic appliances has an impact on their quality of life, including sexual life. The orthodontic appliances may generate difficulties (the reduction of frequency or discontinuation) in subjects' sexual behavior, such as kissing and oral sex. Orthodontic appliances may also cause injury during sexual intercourse. The lack of reliable information on the relationship between orthodontic treatment and sexuality forces a need to raise awareness among dentists and orthodontic appliance users about the topics related to orthodontic treatment and sexual health.

Disclosure

No