Expectations of orthodontic treatment among 7-12 year-old children - a cross sectional study

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to investigate participants' orthodontic treatment expectations and to assess participants' perceptions of their own orthodontic treatment need. A secondary aim was to compare participants' self-perceived treatment need to an orthodontist's opinion. Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 98 participants, aged 7-12 years, completed a modified Sayers questionnaire before an orthodontic screening in a public health center in Finland. After completing the questionnaire, the participants underwent a clinical examination of the occlusion by an orthodontist specialist. A Spearman's rank correlation was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the questionnaire answers. The chi square statistic was applied to assess association between categorical variables. Results: From the initial orthodontic screening, a sample of 98, 94 participants were included in further analysis. Of them, 89% expressed a self-perceived need for orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment need was determined by an orthodontist for 66% of the participants based on a severe malocclusion. Gender, age, or family history of orthodontic treatment were not associated with subjective treatment need. The main expectations for orthodontic treatment result were to straighten the teeth, to get a better smile, and to avoid problems in the future. Conclusions: The study found that patients'expectations of treatment did not fully align with reality. More information for patients and their guardians is needed in advance to avoid unrealistic expectations before the orthodontic treatment.