The objective and subjective sides of malocclusions--more justification for orthodontics?

摘要

Dear Editor We wish to comment on the guest editorial by Dr Christopher Lux (Lux CJ. The objective and subjective sides of malocclusions-more justification for orthodontics? J Orthod 2009; 36: 213-14) More attention has been drawn recently to the psychological impact of malocclusion and oral health related quality of life. Dr Lux has made a genuine effort to stimulate us to obtain a better perception and appreciation of a patient's psychological understanding. In this appearance-conscious society, our profession is considered as important as ever; however, a significant barrier to the use of health status measures in the clinical setting is the large number of items in many measures currently available. In addition, the objective measures only reflect the end-point of the severity of malocclusion. They give no indication of the impact of the features of malocclusion on psychosocial well-being.