Relationship of psychosociocultural factors with dental malocclusion and facial appearance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between psychosociocultural factors and dental malocclusion, facial appearance, and body perception. The study was carried out with the participation of 112 female and 113 male individuals between the ages of 18 and 25. Individuals were asked to answer the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Physical Appearance Comparison Scale Revised, and Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire 4-Revised questionnaires. Individuals were divided into three groups Class I, Class II, and Class III according to dental molar relationships. Standard facial and profile photographs of individuals in all groups were taken and soft-tissue measurements were performed. There was no significant psychosociocultural difference between male and female individuals. However, individuals with Class III dental malocclusion compare their physical appearance more than other malocclusion groups and more experience body dissatisfaction (P > 0.05). Individuals with Class III dental malocclusion have higher lower face height, lower lip height, mentolabial angle, facial convexity angle, total facial convexity angle values, and lower forehead height/lower face height, nose height/lower face height ratio, and projection of the upper lip relative to the chin. Individuals with Class II dental malocclusion have lower chin height and anterior mandibular height/lower face height ratio, higher upper lip height/lower face height ratio, and upper lip height/anterior mandibular height ratio. Individuals with Class I dental malocclusion have a lower upper face height/lower face height ratio. Dental malocclusion groups have different facial soft tissue properties. Dental malocclusion and the facial appearance of individuals affect their lives in terms of psychosociocultural aspects.