The impact on the quality of life caused by the early loss of primary molars.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence regarding the impact of early loss of primary molars (ELPM) on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is lacking. The aim of the present study was evaluating the impact of ELPM on OHRQoL of Brazilian schoolchildren aged 6-10 years. METHODS: This observational prospective cohort study was conducted with 163 schoolchildren, assigned in the primary tooth loss group (PTLG), in which all tooth loss was caused by carious lesions, and in a control group without tooth loss (CG). Two calibrated examiners conducted the clinical oral assessments to determine caries experience and tooth loss. OHRQoL was assessed using the Child Perception Questionnaire 8-10 years (CPQ8-10) instrument administered at baseline and at 10-12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Children in PTLG exhibited significantly more negative impact on OHRQoL at baseline (p < 0.01) than CG, and also after the follow-up period (p < 0.01). It was also possible to observe a significant reduction in the negative impact on OHRQoL in both CG and PTLG in the longitudinal analysis (p < 0.01). Nevertheless, there was an even more substantial reduction in the negative impact on OHRQoL in children in PTLG. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that early tooth loss is associated with negative impact on OHRQoL. Moreover, it indicates that access to dental treatment can have a positive impact on the OHRQoL of children with dental caries and ELPM.

Oral health-related quality of life changes in patients with severe Class III malocclusion treated with the 2-jaw surgery-first approach.

INTRODUCTION: In this nonrandomized prospective study, we compared the effects of the surgery-first approach with conventional 2-jaw orthognathic surgery on skeletal Class III patients' oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), quality of the orthodontic outcome, and average treatment duration. METHODS: The sample consisted of 16 patients with severe skeletal Class III malocclusion, who needed 2-jaw orthognathic surgery: 8 were treated with the surgery-first approach, and 8 were treated with the traditional orthodontic-surgical approach. OHRQoL was assessed by using the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) and the Oral Health Impact Profile-short version (OHIP-14). Malocclusion severity and esthetic self-perception were assessed with the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. Dental health status was determined using the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index. Tests were repeated at 7 times: baseline, 1 month after appliance placement, and 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the beginning of the treatment; and for both groups, there was an also evaluation stage after the orthognathic surgery. RESULTS: After 2 years, the surgery-first group showed a significant decrease in malocclusion severity (P <0.001) and had significant reductions in OQLQ (P <0.001) and OHIP-14 scores (P <0.001). These changes began after the orthognathic surgery and were progressive throughout the evaluation periods. In the traditional orthodontic-surgical approach group, after 2 years of monitoring, all patients were still in the preoperative orthodontic preparation phase, and their malocclusion severity increased significantly, thereby resulting in a not statistically significant worsening of their OHRQoL (OHIP-14, P = 0.89; OQLQ, P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: OHRQoL improved significantly in a linear trend of progressive improvements in all severe Class III patients who had the surgery-first approach after the surgical procedure through 2 years of follow-up, as their malocclusion and esthetic self-perception also improved.

A systematic review of etiological and risk factors associated with bruxism.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present work was to systematically review the literature and identify all peer-reviewed papers dealing with etiological and risk factors associated with bruxism. DATA SOURCES: Data extraction was carried out according to the standard Cochrane systematic review methodology. The following databases were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCT), controlled clinical trials (CCT) or cohort studies: Cochrane Library, Medline, and Embase from 1980 to 2011. Unpublished literature was searched electronically using ClinicalTrials.gov. DATA SELECTION: The primary outcome was bruxism etiology. Studies should have a standardized method to assess bruxism. DATA EXTRACTION: Screening of eligible studies, assessment of the methodological quality and data extraction were conducted independently and in duplicate. Two reviewers inspected the references using the same search strategy and then applied the same inclusion criteria to the selected studies. They used criteria for methodological quality that was previously described in the Cochrane Handbook. Among the 1247 related articles that were critically assessed, one randomized clinical trial, one controlled clinical trial and seven longitudinal studies were included in the critical appraisal. Of these studies, five were selected, but reported different outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: There is convincing evidence that (sleep-related) bruxism can be induced by esophageal acidification and also that it has an important relationship with smoking in a dose-dependent manner. Disturbances in the central dopaminergic system are also implicated in the etiology of bruxism.

Is traditional treatment a good option for an adult with a Class II deepbite malocclusion?

The Tweed-Merrifield directional force technique is a useful treatment approach for a patient with a Class II malocclusion with dentoalveolar protrusion. The purpose of this case report was to present the diagnosis and treatment descriptions of a patient with an Angle Class II malocclusion complicated by tooth losses, severe dentoalveolar protrusion, and skeletal discrepancy. Treatment involved extraction of the maxillary first premolars, high-pull headgear to enhance anchorage, and high-pull J-hook headgear to retract and intrude the maxillary anterior segments. A successful outcome was achieved with traditional orthodontic treatment in this borderline surgical case.

Influence of orthodontic treatment on adolescents' self-perceptions of esthetics.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this prospective evaluation was to assess changes in esthetic self-perception of Brazilian adolescents who were receiving fixed orthodontic treatment during a 2-year period. METHODS: The treatment group consisted of 92 patients, ages 12 to 15 years, treated at the Rio de Janeiro State University orthodontic clinic. The control group consisted of 226 untreated adolescents; 124 subjects were waiting for treatment at this clinic, and 102 subjects were attending public school and had never undergone or sought treatment. The index of orthodontic treatment need was used to assess malocclusion severity, esthetic status (measured by an orthodontist), and esthetic self-perception. All subjects were interviewed 3 times during the study: at baseline; 1 year after placement of the fixed appliance for the treatment group and 1 year after the first interview for the school and waiting groups; and 2 years after placement of the fixed appliance for the treatment group and 2 years after the first interview for the school and waiting groups. The index of orthodontic treatment need scores were analyzed by using negative binomial regression in generalized estimating equations for correlated data. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, the treatment group's esthetic self-perception scores had a statistically significant decrease (P <0.01), the waiting group's scores had an increase (P = 0.08), and the school group's scores were stable (P = 0.79). At baseline, the treatment group had an esthetic self-perception score of 96% (risk ratio = 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.70-2.26) higher than the school group, but at the final interview, the treatment group's score was 20% lower (risk ratio = 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.96) than the initial score of the school group. Age; sex; the index of decayed, missing, and filled teeth; and socioeconomic position did not affect the adolescents' esthetic self-perceptions at follow up, but malocclusion severity and the group had a significant interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed orthodontic treatment in patients 12 to 15 years of age significantly improved their esthetic self-perceptions.

Orthodontic treatment in the severely compromised periodontal patient.

We describe the diagnosis and treatment of a class II division 1 malocclusion complicated by severe periodontal disease, tooth loss, dentoalveolar protrusion associated with tipping and extrusion of the maxillary incisors, and a traumatic occlusion. Treatment involved the use of a modified palatal arch to intrude and retract the maxillary incisors and high-pull headgear to enhance anchorage and correct the Class II relationship. After active treatment for 19 months, a good anterior occlusion was achieved, with 17° of lingual retroclination and 3 mm of intrusion at the apex of the maxillary incisors. An acceptable occlusion and periodontal status was maintained over a retention period of 2 years. With the patient's cooperation, a successful outcome was achieved with this approach.

Post-trauma complex orthodontic approach: the impact of psychological issues of bullying on treatment decision.

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to discuss the multidisciplinary approach required in the treatment of cases of impaction and ankylosis of permanent teeth, associated with a history of trauma, considering the psychological state of the child and family when faced with a traumatic case of bullying, by reporting the complex treatment of a central incisor needing to be orthodontically moved across the midline. CONCLUSION: This clinical case was a major challenge, which included complex multidisciplinary procedures. Results and stability after 26 months of retention indicated successful orthodontic space closure of two maxillary teeth, without the use of implants or prostheses, in an adolescent patient who had a history of dental trauma, alveolar bone loss, and an uncertain initial prognosis.

Oral health-related quality of life and orthodontic treatment seeking.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHQOL) in adolescents who sought orthodontic treatment. A comparison between these adolescents and their age-matched peers who were not seeking orthodontic treatment provided an assessment of the role of OHQOL in treatment seeking. METHODS: The sample consisted of 225 subjects, 12 to 15 years of age; 101 had sought orthodontic treatment at a university clinic (orthodontic group), and 124, from a nearby public school, had never undergone or sought orthodontic treatment (comparison group). OHQOL was assessed with the Brazilian version of the short form of the oral health impact profile, and malocclusion severity was assessed with the index of orthodontic treatment need. RESULTS: Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis showed that those who sought orthodontic treatment reported worse OHQOL than did the subjects in the comparison group (P <0.001). They also had more severe malocclusions as shown by the index of orthodontic treatment need (P = 0.003) and greater esthetic impairment, both when analyzed professionally (P = 0.008) and by self-perception (P <0.0001). No sex differences were observed in quality of life impacts (P = 0.22). However, when the orthodontic group was separately evaluated, the girls reported significantly worse impacts (P = 0.05). After controlling for confounding (dental caries status, esthetic impairment, and malocclusion severity), those who sought orthodontic treatment were 3.1 times more likely to have worse OHQOL than those in the comparison group. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who sought orthodontic treatment had more severe malocclusions and esthetic impairments, and had worse OHQOL than those who did not seek orthodontic treatment, even though severely compromised esthetics was a better predictor of worse OHQOL than seeking orthodontic treatment.

Factors associated with orthodontic treatment seeking by 12-15-year-old children at a state university-funded clinic.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the interrelationships between factors involved in orthodontic treatment seeking by children aged 12-15 years. SETTING: State funded orthodontic clinic at the Faculty of Dentistry of the Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a nearby public school. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety-four adolescents aged 12-15 years took part in the study; 92 had sought orthodontic treatment at UERJ (orthodontic group) and 102 were from a nearby public school and had never undergone or sought orthodontic treatment (comparison group). Each participant underwent a comprehensive oral examination, and both parent and child were questioned about who had initiated the orthodontic referral. OUTCOMES: Normative need assessed with IOTN DHC; clinician and self-perceived aesthetic perception assessed with IOTN AC, previous caries experience was determined using the decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMFT) and WHO diagnostic criteria. The 'Brazil Economic Classification Criteria' was used to classify the socioeconomic status. Intra-examiner repeatability and inter-examiner agreement were assessed with kappa statistics. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between orthodontic treatment seeking (dependent variable) and the independent variables (i.e. aesthetic impairment, malocclusion severity, socioeconomic status, gender, age and DMFT). RESULTS: Univariate analyses showed that self-perceived aesthetics (P<0.001), examiner-assessed aesthetics (P = 0.01) and treatment need (P<0.001), socioeconomic status (P<0.001) were significantly associated with orthodontic treatment seeking, but gender (P = 0.22) and DMFT (P = 0.41) were not. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that poor self-perceived aesthetics (OR = 16.7; 95% CI: 4.17-61.9), more severe malocclusion (OR = 3.4; 95% CI 1.64-7.14) and better socioeconomic position (OR = 39.1; 95% CI: 5.47-280.54) significantly influenced the decision to seek orthodontic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Concern about dental appearance and the desire for treatment, together with normative orthodontic need, should be carefully assessed by dentists before referring patients to specialized orthodontic care in publicly-funded clinics. In a publicly-funded oral health care system, self-perceived orthodontic treatment need is the key to establishing treatment priority.

Orthodontic treatment of periodontal patients: challenges and solutions, from planning to retention.

INTRODUCTION: There is an increasing number of adult patients with sequelae of periodontal diseases seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their occlusion and quality of life. However, it is important to highlight that the patient who has vertical bone loss has unique needs, arising from the frequent related pathological migrations. Therefore, it requires an individualized orthodontic treatment in terms of anchorage, biomechanics, and multidisciplinary planning, which raises doubts in the hierarchy of priorities and organization of the treatment plan. OBJECTIVES: It was proposed a stratified hierarchy of the needs of orthodontic-periodontal treatment in six levels, which were illustrated with examples of clinical cases in which biomechanical planning and a multidisciplinary approach made it possible to obtain a balanced occlusion, aesthetic improvement and stabilization of the results. CONCLUSION: Orthodontic treatment of periodontal patients with a multidisciplinary approach is increasingly frequent and should be planned individually, considering bone losses suffered by each patient. Respecting some limitations, it is possible to improve the level of bone insertion, smile aesthetics and masticatory function, to facilitate oral hygiene through the orthodontic treatment of adult patients with little bone support. It is also important to highlight that there are unique aspects in the orthodontic retention in these cases.

Factors Associated with Premature Loss of Primary Teeth in Brazilian Children.

Purpose: Premature loss of primary teeth can lead to negative consequences in both dentitions. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with the premature loss of primary teeth and the child's socioeconomic status, main caretaker during the day, age range, sex, and previous caries experience. Methods: A total of 192 two- to 10-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren, seen at the Vila Velha University pediatric dental clinic, were assigned to two groups: the primary tooth loss group (PTLG) and a control group without tooth loss (CG)-from May 2016 to March 2017. Two calibrated examiners conducted the children's clinical oral assessments to determine caries experience and tooth loss with the decayed, missing, and filled tooth (dmft) index. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the Brazilian government's socioeconomic classification criteria. A sociodemographic questionnaire regarding the child's age, sex and whom she spent the day with was conducted. Results: There were 94 children in the PTLG and 98 in the CG. Variables associated with the prevalence of tooth loss were spending the day without the mother (P<0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 6.2), higher dmft scores (P<0.01; OR=3.1), and worse socioeconomic and educational status (P=0.01; OR=1.9). Age and sex were not associated with primary tooth loss. Conclusion: Premature loss of primary teeth is associated with poor oral health status, spending the day without mother's care, and low socioeconomic status.

Post-trauma complex orthodontic approach: the impact of psychological issues of bullying on treatment decision

ABSTRACT Objective: This article aims to discuss the multidisciplinary approach required in the treatment of cases of impaction and ankylosis of permanent teeth, associated with a history of trauma, considering the psychological state of the child and family when faced with a traumatic case of bullying, by reporting the complex treatment of a central incisor needing to be orthodontically moved across the midline. Conclusion: This clinical case was a major challenge, which included complex multidisciplinary procedures. Results and stability after 26 months of retention indicated successful orthodontic space closure of two maxillary teeth, without the use of implants or prostheses, in an adolescent patient who had a history of dental trauma, alveolar bone loss, and an uncertain initial prognosis.

RESUMO Objetivo: O presente artigo tem como objetivo discutir a abordagem multidisciplinar necessária no tratamento de casos de impacção e anquilose de dentes permanentes, associados a histórico de trauma, considerando o estado psicológico da criança e da família diante de situações traumáticas de bullying, por meio do relato do tratamento complexo de um incisivo central que precisava ser movido ortodonticamente através da linha média. Conclusão: Esse caso foi um grande desafio, que incluiu procedimentos multidisciplinares complexos. Os resultados e a estabilidade após 26 meses de contenção indicaram fechamento ortodôntico bem-sucedido do espaço de dois dentes superiores, sem o uso de implantes ou próteses, em uma paciente adolescente que apresentava histórico de trauma dentário, perda de osso alveolar e prognóstico inicial incerto.

Orthodontic treatment of periodontal patients: challenges and solutions, from planning to retention

ABSTRACT Introduction: There is an increasing number of adult patients with sequelae of periodontal diseases seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their occlusion and quality of life. However, it is important to highlight that the patient who has vertical bone loss has unique needs, arising from the frequent related pathological migrations. Therefore, it requires an individualized orthodontic treatment in terms of anchorage, biomechanics, and multidisciplinary planning, which raises doubts in the hierarchy of priorities and organization of the treatment plan. Objectives: It was proposed a stratified hierarchy of the needs of orthodontic-periodontal treatment in six levels, which were illustrated with examples of clinical cases in which biomechanical planning and a multidisciplinary approach made it possible to obtain a balanced occlusion, aesthetic improvement and stabilization of the results. Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment of periodontal patients with a multidisciplinary approach is increasingly frequent and should be planned individually, considering bone losses suffered by each patient. Respecting some limitations, it is possible to improve the level of bone insertion, smile aesthetics and masticatory function, to facilitate oral hygiene through the orthodontic treatment of adult patients with little bone support. It is also important to highlight that there are unique aspects in the orthodontic retention in these cases.

RESUMO Introdução: É crescente o número de pacientes adultos portadores de sequelas de doenças periodontais que buscam tratamento ortodôntico para melhorar sua oclusão e qualidade de vida. Contudo, é importante destacar que o paciente que apresenta perda óssea vertical possui necessidades únicas, advindas das frequentes migrações patológicas relacionadas. Logo, requer um tratamento ortodôntico individualizado quanto a quesitos de ancoragem, biomecânica e planejamento multidisciplinar, o que gera dúvidas na hierarquização de prioridades e organização do plano de tratamento. Objetivos: Foi proposta uma hierarquização estratificada das necessidades do tratamento ortodôntico-periodontal em seis níveis, os quais foram ilustrados com exemplos de casos clínicos nos quais o planejamento biomecânico e a abordagem multidisciplinar possibilitaram a obtenção de uma oclusão equilibrada, melhora estética e estabilização dos resultados obtidos. Conclusão: O tratamento ortodôntico de pacientes periodontais com abordagem multidisciplinar é cada vez mais frequente e deve ser planejado de forma individualizada, considerando as perdas de inserção sofridas por cada paciente. Respeitando-se algumas limitações, é possível melhorar o nível de inserção óssea, a estética do sorriso e a função mastigatória, além de facilitar a higiene bucal, por meio do tratamento ortodôntico de pacientes adultos com pouco suporte ósseo. Também é importante destacar que há aspectos únicos na contenção ortodôntica desses casos.

Life-quality of orthognathic surgery patients: the search for an integral diagnosis.

The decision on whether starting an orthosurgical treatment depends on the negative esthetic, functional and social impact the dentofacial deformity has on the quality of life of each patient. The objective of this article is to demonstrate the importance of assessing the quality of life of these individuals by means of applying specific questionnaires before treatment onset in order to increase the success rate of orthosurgical treatment. These questionnaires assess not only the esthetic factor, but also the functional conditions that may be affected as well as the psychological issues related to self-esteem and sociability, all of which must be assessed in order to enable the development of an individual treatment plan that meets patient's expectations. Thus, a more predictable level of satisfaction can be achieved at treatment completion, not only from a normative standpoint stated by professionals, but also from a subjective standpoint stated by patients. Although not enough comparable data is available in the literature for us to assess the extent of improvements produced by orthosurgical treatment, a few recent reports conducted by different universities around the world reveal a good response from the majority of patients after surgery, demonstrating great satisfaction with regard to esthetic, functional and psychosocial factors. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the current objective of orthodontic treatment associated with orthognathic surgery consists not only in treating the esthetic functional components of dentofacial deformities, but also in considering patients' psychological factor.

Effect of orthodontic treatment on oral health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) in children undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment and compare it to that of two groups not receiving treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty-four subjects aged 12-15 years were followed for 2 years; 87 were undergoing treatment at a university clinic (TG), 101 were waiting for treatment at this clinic (WG), and 96 were attending a public school and had never sought treatment (SG). OHQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). All subjects were examined and interviewed at baseline (T1), 1 year later (T2), and 2 years later (T3). OHIP-14 scores were analyzed using negative binomial regression in generalized estimating equations for correlated data. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, the WG and TG OHIP-14 scores showed a statistically significant increase and decrease, respectively (P < .001). At T1, the TG had an OHIP-14 score that was 1.9 times higher than that of the SG; however at T3, the TG score was 60% lower than the initial score of the SG. Adjusting for age, gender, dental health status (DMFT), socioeconomic position, malocclusion severity, and self-perceived esthetics did not change the effect of orthodontic treatment on OHQoL. CONCLUSION: Fixed orthodontic treatment in Brazilian children resulted in significantly improved OHQoL after 2 years.

Life-quality of orthognathic surgery patients: The search for an integral diagnosis

The decision on whether starting an orthosurgical treatment depends on the negative esthetic, functional and social impact the dentofacial deformity has on the quality of life of each patient. The objective of this article is to demonstrate the importance of assessing the quality of life of these individuals by means of applying specific questionnaires before treatment onset in order to increase the success rate of orthosurgical treatment. These questionnaires assess not only the esthetic factor, but also the functional conditions that may be affected as well as the psychological issues related to self-esteem and sociability, all of which must be assessed in order to enable the development of an individual treatment plan that meets patient's expectations. Thus, a more predictable level of satisfaction can be achieved at treatment completion, not only from a normative standpoint stated by professionals, but also from a subjective standpoint stated by patients. Although not enough comparable data is available in the literature for us to assess the extent of improvements produced by orthosurgical treatment, a few recent reports conducted by different universities around the world reveal a good response from the majority of patients after surgery, demonstrating great satisfaction with regard to esthetic, functional and psychosocial factors. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the current objective of orthodontic treatment associated with orthognathic surgery consists not only in treating the esthetic functional components of dentofacial deformities, but also in considering patients' psychological factor.

A decisão de iniciar um tratamento ortodôntico-cirúrgico depende do impacto negativo estético, funcional ou social gerado pela deformidade dentofacial na qualidade de vida de cada paciente. O objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar a importância da avaliação da qualidade de vida desses indivíduos para elevar a taxa de sucesso no tratamento ortodôntico-cirúrgico, por meio da aplicação de questionários específicos antes do início do tratamento. Esses instrumentos avaliam, além do fator estético, as condições funcionais que podem estar afetadas e os problemas psicológicos relacionados à autoestima e à sociabilidade, que devem ser identificados para possibilitar a elaboração de um plano de tratamento individualizado para as expectativas subjetivas do paciente. Assim, torna-se mais previsível obter um alto grau de satisfação ao final do tratamento ortodôntico-cirúrgico, tanto do ponto de vista normativo avaliado pelos profissionais quanto do ponto de vista subjetivo dos pacientes. Apesar da deficiência de dados comparáveis suficientes na literatura disponível para avaliar a extensão da melhora após o tratamento ortodôntico-cirúrgico, há relatos recentes de universidades em diversos países que demonstram uma boa resposta da maioria dos pacientes após a cirurgia, com alto grau de satisfação dos pontos de vista estético, funcional e psicossocial. Conclui-se que o objetivo atual do tratamento ortodôntico associado à cirurgia ortognática consiste em não apenas tratar os componentes estético e funcional da deformidade dentofacial, mas, também, o de considerar o componente psicológico do paciente.

Orthodontic treatment needs of Brazilian 12-year-old school children.

AIM: To assess the orthodontic treatment need of 12-year-old Brazilian school children using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). METHODS: One experienced examiner evaluated the IOTN's dental health component (DHC) and its esthetic component (EC) in 1,182 individuals from 50 randomly selected state schools of Rio de Janeiro. He also requested that these students score their own EC (self-perception). RESULTS: The DHC showed that 51.1% of the children had no/little need, while 26.7% had a need/high need/priority for orthodontic treatment. There was no significant difference between the two sexes (P=.156). According to the EC, esthetics were good in 59.1% of the children, borderline in 32.7%, and unattractive in 8.1%. The self-perception of the EC showed that 89.0% judged themselves as having good esthetics, with girls significantly more critical than boys (P=.035). The statistical correlation between EC (examiner) and EC (children) was low (kappa coefficient=.13). CONCLUSIONS: About half of the scored Brazilian 12-year-old schoolchildren had no/little need for treatment. Orthodontists were more critical in their esthetic evaluation than the children themselves, with girls being more critical in self-perception than boys.