Patients' perspectives of the long-term impact of orthodontic treatment: a qualitative study

To explore how orthodontic treatment affects different aspects of life, such as self-esteem, well-being, and social interactions and, additionally, to identify the long-term challenges that orthodontic patients experience after treatment.

This qualitative study involved in-depth semistructured face-to-face interviews. A purposive sampling strategy aimed to recruit a representative cohort of orthodontic patients who had their orthodontic treatment in adolescence and had their treatment concluded at least 5 years previously. Twenty-one patients (13 females and 8 males) were interviewed using a prepiloted topic guide. These interviews were transcribed and analyzed verbatim, using the general inductive method of data analysis.

The thematic analysis revealed four key themes and related subthemes: (1) self-confidence and interpersonal communication, (2) social and professional opportunities, (3) oral health and function, and (4) challenges. In-depth analysis revealed positive treatment outcomes regarding enhanced self-confidence, social interactions, and perceived improvement in oral health and function. It also highlighted ongoing challenges with retainers and dissatisfaction with relapse.

Orthodontic treatment can significantly impact patient lives. Orthodontic patients described direct long-term positive effects on their social lives and well-being. However, it is equally important to remain mindful of the long-term challenges that may arise after treatment, especially with retainer choices and relapse, enabling proactive measures to mitigate their impact.