Attitudes to malocclusion among 18- and 35-year-old Norwegians

Abstract Knowledge about age-related changes in attitudes to dental appearance and orthodontic treatment may guide the orthodontist in educating and providing advice to potential patients and their parents. The purpose of the present study was to compare attitudes to malocclusion in groups of young and middle-aged adults from populations having been exposed to similar provision of care. The material comprised samples of orthodontically untreated 18-yr-olds (n=50) and 35-yr-olds (n=73) from Oslo, Norway. From a clinical examination, radiographs, and measurements on dental study casts, the subjects were classified according to the Need for Orthodontic Treatment Index (NOTI) used by the Norwegian Health Insurance System. Satisfaction with dental appearance and desire for orthodontic treatment were investigated using questionnaires. The 35-yr-olds exhibited significantly more malocclusion compared to the 18-yr-olds (P<0.01). Among subjects classified to have obvious need for orthodontic treatment, 54% and 21% expressed dissatisfaction at ages 18 yr and 35 yr, respectively, indicating a lower level of concern for malocclusion in the older age group.