Yazgı Ay Ünüvar1, Pelin Deniz1, Emre Köse2. 1. Department of Orthodontics, Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Dentistry, Aydın, Turkey. 2. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Dentistry, Aydın, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the difficulties experienced by patients receiving orthodontic treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the problems experienced by orthodontic patients, along with their attitudes toward these problems. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study including a total of 502 patients (291 female; 211 male) receiving orthodontic treatment at a public or private clinic was conducted via a web-based questionnaire. RESULTS: Of all participants, 70.1% (352) were between the ages of 12 and 18 and 77.1% (387) were treated in a public clinic. According to the results, 97.3% (372) of the patients in the public clinic and 71.1% (79) of the patients in the private clinics had not been able to continue their treatment for 2 months or longer. Most of the participants were concerned about extended treatment duration (349, 69.5%) during this period. While the most common problems in patients with fixed appliances were soft tissue irritation (230, 52.5%), bracket failure (142, 32.4%), gingival swelling (88, 20.1%), and pain (88, 20.1%); there were issues of new spaces between teeth (41, 64.1%), pain (37, 57.8%), and gingival swelling (29, 45.3%) among patients with removable appliances. CONCLUSION: Most patient appointments were delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients experienced various problems with their treatment, and as a result, concerns about extended treatment duration increased. Therefore, orthodontists should pay more attention to teleorthodontics during the pandemic process.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the difficulties experienced by patients receiving orthodontic treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the problems experienced by orthodontic patients, along with their attitudes toward these problems. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study including a total of 502 patients (291 female; 211 male) receiving orthodontic treatment at a public or private clinic was conducted via a web-based questionnaire. RESULTS: Of all participants, 70.1% (352) were between the ages of 12 and 18 and 77.1% (387) were treated in a public clinic. According to the results, 97.3% (372) of the patients in the public clinic and 71.1% (79) of the patients in the private clinics had not been able to continue their treatment for 2 months or longer. Most of the participants were concerned about extended treatment duration (349, 69.5%) during this period. While the most common problems in patients with fixed appliances were soft tissue irritation (230, 52.5%), bracket failure (142, 32.4%), gingival swelling (88, 20.1%), and pain (88, 20.1%); there were issues of new spaces between teeth (41, 64.1%), pain (37, 57.8%), and gingival swelling (29, 45.3%) among patients with removable appliances. CONCLUSION: Most patient appointments were delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients experienced various problems with their treatment, and as a result, concerns about extended treatment duration increased. Therefore, orthodontists should pay more attention to teleorthodontics during the pandemic process.