Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac , Kragujevac , Serbia
Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac , Kragujevac , Serbia
Narrow Scientific Field Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis , Niš , Serbia
Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, University of Defence , Belgrade , Serbia
Malocclusions are common oral health issues that require precise assessment of severity and the need for orthodontic treatment. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is a reliable tool for objectively evaluating the necessity of orthodontic therapy. This study aimed to determine the need for orthodontic treatment among children and adolescents in Serbia using the IOTN index. Additionally, it sought to compare the subjective perception of dental aesthetics among participants with the evaluations provided by orthodontic professionals. The prevalence of malocclusion was also recorded. The study included 211 participants aged 9 to 25 years, all of whom were military health insurance beneficiaries and had not previously undergone orthodontic treatment. Examinations were conducted by a dentist under the supervision of an orthodontic specialist at the Military Medical Academy. Assessments were performed according to IOTN guidelines, incorporating both the Dental Health Component (DHC) and Aesthetic Component (AC). Statistical analysis was applied to process the results. Findings indicate that 63% of participants had a clear need for orthodontic treatment based on the DHC component, while 28% fell into the borderline category. According to the AC component, 32.2% of participants self-reported a need for treatment, whereas the therapists’ evaluation indicated a slightly lower percentage (27%). The most common orthodontic irregularity was contact point displacement, while patients with increased overjet and deep bite were most frequently in need of treatment. Children and adolescents in Serbia exhibit a high demand for orthodontic treatment. The IOTN index has proven to be an effective tool for prioritizing treatment needs. The study results emphasize the importance of integrating this index into clinical practice to optimize resource allocation and improve treatment efficiency for patients with the greatest need.
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