Psychosocial Aspects of Orthodontic Treatment Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Authors

  • Widya Kusumadewy Doctoral program, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Miesje Karmiati Purwanegara Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46862/interdental.v22i2.12753

Keywords:

Psychosocial, orthodontic treatment, adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment aims not only to improve the patient's occlusion but also to provide an attractive physical appearance. Orthodontic treatment can be started in adolescence in certain cases. Adolescence is a phase of self-identity development where physical appearance plays an important role. Therefore, the patient's age must be considered because it is related to psychosocial factors that will determine the success of orthodontic treatment. This paper aims to provide an overview of the psychosocial factors influencing orthodontic treatment in adolescents, particularly regarding their desire to undergo orthodontic treatment.

Review: This review was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Scopus. The included studies focused on psychosocial factors considered in orthodontic treatment among adolescents. Relevant articles were selected and analyzed to identify psychosocial factors influencing orthodontic treatment in adolescents. Articles that meet the inclusion criteria are 7 articles on psychosocial impact, emotional well-being, self-esteem, motivation, and the patient's desire to undergo orthodontic treatment

Conclusion: Psychosocial aspects such as self-esteem and social influence, including social media, have an important role in motivating adolescents to undergo orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists need to understand a person's emotional and cognitive development because it affects how a person receives orthodontic treatment. Communication and using appropriate approaches by considering psychosocial factors will improve the success of orthodontic treatment.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Proffit WR, Fields HW, Larson BE, Sarver DM. Malocclusion and Dentofacial Deformity in Contemporary Society. In: Contemporary Orthodontics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2019. Chapter 1. p.9-10.

2. Dias PF, Gleiser R. Orthodontic treatment need in a group of 9-12-year-old Brazilian school children. Braz Oral Res. 2009;23(2):182-189. DOI:10.1590/S1806-83242009000200015.

3. DiBiase A, Cox Z, Rea M, Gonidis L, Cameron L, Rutland A. Malocclusion and peer relationships in school children aged 10-14 years in the United Kingdom: A cross-sectional study. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop. 2025;168(4):435-450. DOI:10.1016/j.ajodo.2025.04.017.

4. Gasparello GG, Bark MJ, Mota-Júnior SL, Suarez J, Pithon MM, Camargo ES, Tanaka OM. The impact self-esteem towards the orthodontic issues in the social media: A cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2025;25(1):1-9. DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-06290-x.

5. Fleming P. Timing orthodontic treatment: early or late? Aust Dent J. 2017;62(Suppl 1):11-19. DOI:10.1111/adj.12474.

6. Chung D. The Eight Stages of Psychosocial protective development: developmental psychology. J Behav Brain Sci. 2018;8(6):369-398. DOI:10.4236/jbbs.2018.86024.

7. Bailey JA. Self-image, self-concept, and self-identity revisited. J Natl Med Assoc. 2003;95(5):383-386.

8. Tung AW, Kiyak HA. Psychological influences on the timing of orthodontic treatment. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop. 1998;113(1):29-39. DOI:10.1016/S0889-5406(98)70274-4.

9. Cherry K. What is self-concept? 2022. Available from: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-concept-2795865

10. Vulugundam S, Abreu LG, Bernabé E. Is orthodontic treatment associated with changes in self-esteem during adolescence? A longitudinal study. J Orthod. 2021;48(4):352-359. DOI:10.1177/14653125211006113.

11. Geoghegan F, Birjandi AA, Xavier GM, Dibiase AT. Motivation, expectations and understanding of patients and their parents seeking orthodontic treatment in specialist practice. J Orthod. 2019;46(1):46-50. DOI:10.1177/1465312518820330.

12. Twigge E, Roberts RM, Jamieson L, Dreyer CW, Sampson WJ. The psycho-social impact of malocclusions and treatment expectations of adolescent orthodontic patients. Eur J Orthod. 2016;38(6):593-601. DOI:10.1093/ejo/cjv093.

13. Bittencourt JM, Martins L, Bendo CB, Vale MP, Paiva SM. Negative effect of malocclusion on the emotional and social well-being of Brazilian adolescents: A population-based study. Eur J Orthod. 2017;39(6):628-633. DOI:10.1093/ejo/cjx020.

14. Longstaff S, Davies K, Benson P. Exploring 10-15-year-old patients' perspectives of fixed orthodontic treatment. J Orthod. 2021;48(2):110-117. DOI:10.1177/1465312520981077.

15. Ernest M, Dacosta O, Adegbite K, Yemitan T, Adeniran A. Orthodontic treatment motivation and cooperation: A cross-sectional analysis of adolescent patients' and parents' responses. J Orthod Sci. 2019;8(1):12. DOI:10.4103/jos.JOS_36_17.

16. Perry J, Johnson I, Popat H, Morgan MZ, Gill P. Adolescent perceptions of orthodontic treatment risks and risk information: A qualitative study. J Dent. 2018;74:61-70. DOI:10.1016/j.jdent.2018.04.011.

17. De Jongh A, Oosterink FMD, Van Rood YR, Aartman IHA. Preoccupation with one's appearance: A motivating factor for cosmetic dental treatment? Br Dent J. 2008;204(12):691-695. DOI:10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.522.

18. Will L. Psychological Aspects of Orthodontics. In: Graber TM, Vanarsdall RL, Vig KWL, editors. Orthodontics: Current Principles and Techniques. 5th ed. Elsevier Inc.; 2011. Chapter 3. p.99-106.

19. Newton JT, Cunningham SJ. Great expectations: What do patients expect and how can expectations be managed? J Orthod. 2013;40(2):112-117. DOI:10.1179/1465313312Y.0000000038.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-12

How to Cite

1.
Kusumadewy W, Purwanegara MK. Psychosocial Aspects of Orthodontic Treatment Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review. interdental [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 12 [cited 2026 Aug. 13];22(2):379-84. Available from: https://e-journal.unmas.ac.id/index.php/interdental/article/view/12753

Most read articles by the same author(s)