Predictors for initiating orthodontic treatment and qualitative perspectives on its postponement in young adults.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to identify the factors that lead to accepting orthodontic treatment and to explore the reasons why young adults postpone starting treatment. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on a sample of 370 young adults from various higher education institutions in Huancayo, who were administered a survey using the Index of Need for Orthodontic Treatment with its Aesthetic Component (INTO CE) the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics (PIDAQ). These were used to assess the severity of malocclusion and the psychosocial impact, along with an open-ended question asking why they would postpone their treatment. The survey was anonymous and voluntary, and the research design was mixed-methods. Results: The results indicated that, regarding the need for orthodontic treatment (INTO CE), 94.3% had no need; 1.4% had moderate need; and 4.3% had definite need. The psychosocial impact (PIDAQ) showed low impact in 82.4% of cases, high impact in 17.6%, with an average score of 31; By gender, among women, 79.6% had a low PIDAQ score, 20.4% had a high PIDAQ score, and the average was 32.4; among men, 82.4% had a low PIDAQ score and 17.6% had a high PIDAQ score, with an average of 27.5. Conclusions:  there is a positive correlation between the INTO CE and the PIDAQ with a p-value of 0.001; four main categories were identified for which patients postpone their orthodontic treatment: money, time, information, and psychological factors, concluding that, for the most part, there is an INTO.