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.