Psychological aspects of orthodontics in clinical practice. Part one: treatment-specific variables

The orthodontist-patient relationship may have a significant impact on treatment outcome and patient satisfaction, thus improving the overall quality of care. Effective communication is crucial and unfortunately, it is often underestimated in a busy clinical practice. Aim of part one of this article is to review the psychological aspects that are relevant to a number of treatment variables in clinical orthodontics, including compliance with treatment, oral hygiene, management of orthodontic pain and discomfort, and oral habits. Due to the complex nature of the psychology of orthodontic treatment, it is difficult to determine the extent of the influence that the orthodontist-patient relationship may have on these variables, with effective communication and an awareness of the psychological issues playing an important role in enhancing the orthodontist-patient relationship.