ObjectiveTo discuss whether there are some psychological changes in adult women patients when they first wear fixed orthodontic appliances.
MethodsEighty adult women patients aged between 18 and 50 years old averaging 35, receiving fixed orthodontic treatment between January 2011 and August 2012 were selected as our study subjects. They completed a questionnaire regarding anxiety and depression at the first day when they came to the hospital and 7 days, one month, and three months after fixed appliance placement respectively. The scales of anxiety and depression of subjects were assessed according to the symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90).
ResultsCompared with the norms, the SCL-90 scores of anxiety, depression and interpersonal relationship sensitivity were higher in these patients. The symptoms were more severe a week later, and were even more severe one month after the appliance placement. Three months later, the scores of all factors began to fall, but were still higher than those before the treatment.
ConclusionThere is a certain extent of negative psychological influence on adult women patients during fixed orthodontic treatment. At the first week after the placement of fixed appliance, adult women patients may suffer from anxiety and depression.
