The effect of orthodontic extraoral appliances on depression and the anxiety levels of patients and parents.

BACKGROUND Psychosocial consequences and post-operative anxiety in patients after fixed orthodontic treatment are important parameters that must be evaluated by clinicians not to effect patient and their parent's psychosocial mood negatively. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in depression and anxiety levels of orthodontic patients and their parents before the extraoral appliance therapy, and at a 1-year follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients and one of their parents responded to a series of questionnaires and evaluation scales in order to assess depression and anxiety levels. Two groups of patients and their parents were surveyed; one group that had not yet embarked on the treatment and another that had commenced extra-oral appliance therapy 1 year prior to the study. RESULTS The 1-year-treatment group scored significantly higher than the pre-treatment group on the depression scale and the trait-anxiety scale. State-trait anxiety inventory scores did not differ significantly between the groups. The parents of the 1-year-treatment group also scored significantly higher on the Beck depression inventory than those of the pre-treatment group. CONCLUSION The results of this study emphasize the need for due consideration of psychological parameters before and during treatment with extra-oral appliances, particularly with regard to depression and anxiety.