Impact of malocclusion and common oral diseases on oral health-related quality of life in young adults

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the association between malocclusion and oral health-related quality of life in young adults without orthodontic treatment, controlling for sociodemographic factors and common oral diseases. Methods The sample consisted of 429 Korean patients (328 men, 101 women) 18 to 32 years of age. They completed the Korean version of the oral health impact profile-14 questionnaire and had a clinical examination, including an assessment with the index of orthodontic treatment need-dental health component. We collected sociodemographic information (age, sex, and education level) and evaluated other common oral diseases (decayed, missing, and filled teeth; periodontal health status; temporomandibular disorder; and oral soft tissue diseases). Results Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that patients requiring extensive orthodontic treatment were more than 2.7 times as likely to have poor oral health-related quality of life as the corresponding "no treatment needed" reference group (odds ratio, 2.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.60-4.59; P <0.001). Severe malocclusion is significantly associated with functional limitations, physical pain, and social disability in young adults. Conclusions Malocclusion is a key factor associated with poor quality of life caused by limited oral function, pain, and social disability in young adults.