Orthodontic treatment and its impact on psychological and social health: A review of the literature

Abstract

Misaligned teeth can result in a wide range of physical, psychological, and functional impairments influencing both oral and systemic health. This calls for the need for an early orthodontic intervention, which is crucial to prevent these consequences and improve both functions and cosmetic appearance. The objectives of the current article are to identify the role of orthodontic treatment in maintaining psychological well‑being and social health, to ascertain the potential challenges in delivering orthodontic treatment, and propose specific recommendations to overcome identified challenges. Orthodontic treatment plays a defining role in improving the psychological well‑being of the person, by augmenting self‑confidence as they are more comfortable about their appearance. In conclusion, orthodontic treatment is quite effective in improving the psychological and social well‑being of people with misaligned teeth. The need of the hour is to identify the existing challenges and provide effective treatment to aid in improving the quality of life of the affected person.