Pattern of Attendance of Patients in Orthodontic Clinic of A Nigerian Military Reference Hospital

Abstract

Background: Poor aesthetics, dysfunction and discomfort are the key reasons for seeking orthodontic treatment across the world.Patients' expectation of orthodontic treatment depends on the perception of their own dentofacial aesthetics and on the continuous feedback they receive from peers to a large extent.
Methods: This was a retrospective study in which data was extrapolated from the orthodontics record book of the dental clinic at a Nigerian Military Reference Hospital.
Results: Ahundred and three subjects with a male : female ratio of 1:3, majority (64.1%) of participants are less than 18 years with overall mean age of 18.29±6.7. Ninety five (92.2%) are single while more than four-fifth 85(82.5%) of patients are
students. Class 1 malocclusion was the most common 58(56.3%) while 19(18.4%) and 26(25.2%) have class II and class III respectively with no significant association between malocclusion and gender (p=0.0018). The most common treatment plan was fixed upper and lower 77(74.8%) while 11(10.7%) had upper removable appliances.
Conclusion:The most common maloclusion seen was Angle's Class I and most of the patients were treated with comprehensive
fixed appliance therapy.