Factors affecting patient satisfaction after orthodontic treatment

The objective of this study was to identify factors that may affect patients' satisfaction with their dentition after orthodontic treatment. Fifty patients (20 males and 30 females; mean age 20.7 +/- 4.2 years) who successfully had finished fixed orthodontic treatment were included in the study. All subjects were treated with upper and lower fixed orthodontic appliances for an average duration of 19 +/- 4 months and were in retention stage (6-12 months) with upper Hawley and lower fixed bonded retainers. Dental Impact on Daily Living questionnaire was used to assess the effect of orthodontic treatment on daily living and satisfaction with the dentition in the study sample. The NEO Five Factor inventory was used to assess personality profiles in the study sample. Comparisons between groups were made using chi-square test. Personality traits were found to be correlated with patients' satisfaction with their dentition after orthodontic treatment. Higher neuroticism scores had a significant negative relationship with total satisfaction with the dentition (P<.05). Age, sex, and pretreatment orthodontic treatment need had no relationship with the patient's satisfaction. Patients treated nonextraction showed more dissatisfaction with their dentition (P<.05). In orthodontically treated patients, higher neuroticism scores were associated with lower levels of satisfaction with the dentition.