How do your teeth make you feel?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study to investigate the effects of malocclusion
IRAS ID
128743
Contact name
Susan Cunningham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCLH Foundation Trust
Research summary
This study is investigating the psychosocial effects of malocclusion (poor alignment of teeth and/or problems with the bite) and orthodontic treatment (braces) in adolescents. There is research looking at the psycho-social aspects of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment but the research has tended to focus on the psychological elements of “psycho-social“ rather than the social elements. There is an increasing body of opinion in orthodontics that treatment probably affects the latter (social) elements more than the former.
The results will provide important information at a time when orthodontic treatment is increasingly under threat with the NHS. Treatment is often perceived to be “cosmetic“ and the potential psycho-social effects which patients may experience for the rest of their lives are not considered fully. It is important that we are able to provide evidence of all potential benefits. This longitudinal study will help to establish whether orthodontic intervention has significant effects in adolescents.This questionnaire based study will be conducted in a single hospital department with a large throughput of patients (Eastman Dental Hospital) and will investigate a specific cohort of patients: those undergoing treatment for Class II Division 1 malocclusions (prominent upper front teeth) with a functional-type brace (a type of removable brace used with this group of patients). We have chosen to restrict the study to this particular group of patients as treatment with a functional brace takes in the region of 9-12 months so it is realistic to undertake a longitudinal study and it is also hoped that any concomitant developmental psychological changes will be relatively small in patients studied for 9-12 months. Participants will complete a questionnaire at two timepoints: the start and end of functional-brace treatment. Results will be compared with a control group to further reduce the risks of developmental psychological changes impacting on the results.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1256
Date of REC Opinion
28 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion