Comparison of perceptions on the dental aesthetics of different malocclusions between orthodontists and schoolchildren

OBJECTIVES: To compare perceptions on dental aesthetics of various malocclusions between schoolchildren and orthodontists with an orthodontic assessment of treatment needs. METHODS: The prospective study was conducted between late March-December in 2017. A total of 32 orthodontists practicing in Shenyang, China and 116 schoolchildren (59 boys and 57 girls) aged 10-12 years (average= 11±0.60 years) from a 645 individual representing the population were selected via random sampling from a private primary school. Participants were questioned to assess 6 anterior dental photographs representing a variety degrees of aesthetic impairments, namely, reverse overjet (ROJ), anterior dental diastema and anterior open bite (OB) malocclusions. RESULTS: Perceptions on dental aesthetics were identical among genders (p>0.05). Compared with the orthodontists, schoolchildren perceived significantly greater aesthetic impairment for severe anterior OB and severe ROJ, mild anterior OB malocclusions (p<0.01). Anterior dental diastemas were evaluated based on least aesthetic impairment and with no significant difference in perception between schoolchildren and orthodontists. CONCLUSION: Schoolchildren perceived greater aesthetic impairment in severe anterior OB, severe ROJ, and mild anterior OB malocclusions than orthodontists. Median aesthetic components (AC) scores of schoolchildren for severe anterior OB and severe ROJ malocclusions corresponded with the category of “definite need” for treatment.