Did the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic affect orthodontic treatment outcomes? A clinical evaluation using the objective grading system and Peer Assessment Rating index

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the treatment outcome of patients whose orthodontic treatment was completed before or during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. METHODS: Pretreatment and posttreatment models of 100 patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances were evaluated using the peer assessment rating (PAR) index. Posttreatment models and panoramic radiographs were measured and scored with the objective grading system (OGS). All patients had their treatment plans before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, but the orthodontic treatment finishing date was before (prepandemic: group 1, n = 50) or during (pandemic: group 2, n = 50) the pandemic. Intergroup comparisons were tested with an independent samples t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Chi-square test statistics and Fisher exact test were used to compare categorical variables. RESULTS: Significant higher posttreatment weighted maxillary alignment score was found in group 2. However, no significant difference was found between the groups concerning the mean total weighted PAR reduction (29.8 ± 9.9 vs 25.6 ± 8.7) and posttreatment total weighted PAR scores (1 vs 2). The PAR index score improvement (%) was similar between the groups (93.7 ± 7.1 vs 89.9 ± 13.0). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups for the total OGS score (32 vs 33). A lower score for marginal ridge height (4 vs 3) and a higher score for buccolingual inclination (7 vs 11), and a lower score for occlusal relationship (3 vs 1) were found in group 2. Canceled appointments (1.1 ± 0.7 vs 4.8 ± 1.6) and the number of missed appointments (0.6 ± 0.5 vs 1.1 ± 0.8) were statistically higher in group 2, whereas the total number of appointments (27.3 ± 8.8 vs 21.8 ± 5.4) were statistically less. The treatment duration was comparable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced and irregular appointments during the pandemic resulted in significantly higher posttreatment weighted maxillary alignment and worsening of the buccolingual inclination. However, the PAR score improvement, total OGS score, and treatment duration were not affected.