The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Adult Anterior Open Bite Study: Patient satisfaction with treatment.

INTRODUCTION: This article evaluates and reports on the satisfaction of adult patients across the United States who received orthodontic treatment for anterior open bite malocclusion. The factors that influence satisfaction are also described. METHODS: Practitioners were recruited from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. On joining the Network, practitioner demographics and information on their practices were acquired. Practitioners enrolled their adult patients in active treatment for anterior open bite. Patient demographics, patient dentofacial characteristics, and details regarding previous and current treatment were collected through questionnaires at enrollment (T1). Pretreatment lateral cephalograms and intraoral frontal photographs were submitted. Treatment performed, and details related to treatment outcome were recorded through questionnaires at the end of active treatment (T2). Posttreatment lateral cephalograms and intraoral frontal photographs were submitted. Patient satisfaction at T2 was assessed using a 5-point Likert-type scale and open-ended responses. Predictive univariate models were developed to evaluate the factors that affect patient satisfaction. Open-ended responses were reviewed for general trends. RESULTS: T2 data were received for 260 patients, and 248 of these patients completed and returned the patient satisfaction questionnaires. High levels of satisfaction were found in this sample of adult patients receiving treatment for anterior open bite malocclusion. Specifically, 96% of the sample reported being very or somewhat satisfied. Only 10 patients (4%) were not satisfied with the treatment provided or an element of the final result. Successful open bite closure, treatment modality, and certain patient characteristics may affect patient satisfaction. However, there was insufficient power to demonstrate statistical significance because of the very low number of dissatisfied patients. Open-ended responses directly associated with patient satisfaction were received from 23 patients (9%). They relayed positive, neutral, and negative feelings about the treatment received and final results. Additional responses regarding the orthodontic treatment in general, but not specifically linked to patient satisfaction, were received from 119 patients (48%). These comments depict an overwhelmingly positive experience. CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients who received orthodontic treatment for anterior open bite malocclusion were generally satisfied with the treatment provided, as well as the final esthetic and functional results.

The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Adult Anterior Open Bite Study: Treatment success.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior open bite (AOB) continues to be a challenging malocclusion for orthodontists to treat and retain long-term. There is no consensus on which treatment modality is most successful. This study reports on the overall success rate of AOB orthodontic treatment in the adult population across the United States, as well as 4 major treatment modalities and other factors that may influence treatment success. METHODS: Practitioners and their adult patients with AOB were recruited through the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Patient dentofacial and demographic characteristics, practitioner demographic and practice characteristics, and factors relating to orthodontic treatment were reported. Treatment success was determined from posttreatment (T2) lateral cephalometric films and intraoral frontal photographs. Treatment was categorized into 4 main groups: aligners, fixed appliances, temporary anchorage devices (TADs), and orthognathic surgery. Extractions were also evaluated. Bivariate and multivariable models were used to investigate the association between treatment success and treatment modality, pretreatment (T1) dentofacial characteristics, patient and practitioner demographics, and practice characteristics, adjusting for clustering of patients within practice. RESULTS: A total of 254 patients, enrolled by 84 practitioners, contributed to T2 data for this study. There were 29 patients in the aligner group, 152 in fixed appliances, 20 in TADs, and 53 in surgery. A total of 49 patients underwent extractions of teeth other than third molars. Ninety-three percent finished treatment with a positive overbite on the T2 lateral cephalogram, and 84% finished with a positive vertical overlap of all incisors. The small number of aligners and TAD patients limited the ability to compare success rates in these groups. Patients treated with orthognathic surgery had a higher rate of success compared with those treated with fixed appliances only. Treatment success was also associated with academic practice setting, T1 mandibular plane angle ≤30°, no to mild T1 crowding, and treatment duration <30 months. CONCLUSIONS: The overall success of orthodontic treatment in adult patients with AOB who participated in this study was very high. Orthognathic surgery was the only treatment modality that exhibited a statistically higher odds of successful outcomes. Some T1 dentofacial characteristics and treatment factors were associated with the successful closure of AOB.

The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network adult anterior open bite study: A description of the practitioners and patients.

OBJECTIVES:: To describe the demographic and practice characteristics of the clinicians enrolled in a large, prospective cohort study examining recommendations and treatment for adult anterior open bite (AOB) and the relationship between these characteristics and practitioners' self-reported treatment preferences. The characteristics of the AOB patients recruited were also described. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: Practitioners were recruited from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Participants in the study consisted of practitioners and their adult AOB patients in active treatment. Upon enrollment, practitioners completed questionnaires enquiring about demographics, treatment preferences for adult AOB patients, and treatment recommendations for each patient. Patients completed questionnaires on demographics and factors related to treatment. RESULTS:: Ninety-one practitioners and 347 patients were recruited. Demographic characteristics of recruited orthodontists were similar to those of American Association of Orthodontists members. The great majority of practitioners reported using fixed appliances and elastics frequently for adult AOB patients. Only a third of practitioners reported using aligners frequently for adult AOB patients, and 10% to 13% frequently recommended temporary anchorage devices (TADs) or orthognathic surgery. Seventy-four percent of the patients were female, and the mean age was 31.4 years. The mean pretreatment overbite was -2.4 mm, and the mean mandibular plane angle was 38.8°. Almost 40% of patients had undergone orthodontic treatment previously. CONCLUSIONS:: This article presents the demographic data for 91 doctors and 347 adult AOB patients, as well as the practitioners' self-reported treatment preferences.