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Phantom bite: a survey of US orthodontists
Bozena B Ligas1, Maria Therese S Galang, Ellen A BeGole
1Department of Orthodontics, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Summary
Many orthodontists are unaware of phantom bite, a condition where patients perceive bite issues without clinical evidence. Increased awareness is crucial for proper patient care and avoiding unnecessary treatments.
Area of Science:
- Dental occlusion and patient perception.
- Orthodontic diagnosis and treatment.
- Patient-reported outcomes in dentistry.
Background:
- Phantom bite, described by Marbach in 1976, involves a patient's perceived bite discrepancy without objective clinical findings.
- Patients often have a history of bite-altering procedures and hyperawareness of occlusion, leading to unnecessary and invasive treatments.
- This condition highlights a disconnect between patient perception and clinical diagnosis in orthodontics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess orthodontists' awareness of phantom bite and its clinical indicators.
- To identify common treatments administered for phantom bite cases.
- To explore the influence of practice experience and demographics on awareness and treatment patterns.
Main Methods:
- A 14-item electronic survey was distributed to orthodontists.
- Participants were recruited via email from the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) directory.
- A total of 337 orthodontists completed the survey.
Main Results:
- Nearly 50% of surveyed orthodontists were unfamiliar with the term "phantom bite."
- Despite unfamiliarity, many clinicians reported treating patients with phantom bite complaints.
- Geographic region and years of practice did not significantly impact awareness or treatment approaches.
Conclusions:
- A significant knowledge gap exists regarding phantom bite among orthodontic practitioners.
- Enhanced education is needed to improve recognition and management of phantom bite.
- This will help prevent inappropriate and costly treatments for patients experiencing phantom bite.
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