The objective and quantitative analysis of malocclusion: Part 1. Objective malocclusion severity and subjective treatment difficulty

Joo, Bo Hoon; Lee, Ki Soo

Abstract

The evaluation of malocclusion has to be done quantitatively and qualitatively. This will be lead toward an analysis of malocclusion severity as well as treatment difficulty. The method of proper evaluation of malocclusion severity and treatment difficulty is necessary to assess treatment effect and efficiency for the orthodontists and to establish fundamentals for planning and executing the health-related policies in private and public institutions. The purposes of this study as the first part of the objective and quantitative analysis of malocclusion were 1) to measure treatment difficulty based on the opinions of several orthodontists, and 2) to investigate the relationships between objective malocclusion severity and subjective treatment difficulty. 100 pairs of dental casts that had various types and severity of malocclusion were selected from the orthodontic departments of Kyunghee University and Samsung Medical Center. The objective malocclusion severity was measured with the PAR (Peer Assessment Rating) index and the subjective treatment difficulty was evaluated by 8 experienced orthodontists. The relationships between objective malocclusion severity and subjective treatment difficulty were statistically evaluated. There were significant relationships between objective malocclusion severity and subjective treatment difficulty, especially in the measurements of the upper anterior alignment, the buccal occlusion, the overjet, the overbite and the midline discrepancy in the malocclusion components. The results of this study can provide the background knowledge to develop a new occlusal index, which contains both the malocclusion severity and treatment difficulty for Korean orthodontists.