Personality and patient satisfaction after orthodontic treatment

The aim of this study is to examine, among adult patients who had completed orthodontic treatment, the relationship between treatment satisfaction and personality type.

This was an observational, comparative, cross-sectional study based on a survey conducted during the first three months following the completion of active orthodontic treatment. The required sample size was calculated in advance. A total of 74 patients (30 men and 44 women aged 18 to 40) were included: 55 with metal multi-bracket appliances, 9 with ceramic multi-bracket appliances, and 10 with clear aligners. Patient satisfaction was assessed using the questionnaire developed by Rojas-Garcia, et al. Personality was evaluated using the Big Five Inventory test. The study was approved by the University Ethics Committee (No. 2021_11/107). To compare mean values among different patient groups, Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA were used when the variables were normally distributed; otherwise, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used.

A relationship was found between personality traits and patient satisfaction following orthodontic treatment. The more extroverted, agreeable, and conscientious a patient was, the more satisfied they were with the treatment (p < 0.05). However, neuroticism, gender, treatment type, and initial case complexity were not associated with patient satisfaction (p > 0.05). Patient satisfaction also decreased with age (p > 0.05).

Although participants may have been subject to central tendency or social desirability bias, this study provides insights into the correlation between personality traits and satisfaction with orthodontic treatment. Further studies should consider not only the initial malocclusion but also the degree of improvement achieved.

Personality appears to influence patient satisfaction at the end of orthodontic treatment.