Journal article

Publication year: 2018

Pages: 350-355

Journal: European Journal of Orthodontics

Volume number: 40

Issue number: 4

ISSN: 0141-5387

eISSN: 1460-2210

Open access status: Bronze

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/ejo/cjy007

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract: 

Aim: To assess whether or not childhood overweight is associated with lower levels of compliance during orthodontic therapy with removable appliances.

Materials and methods: Starting in 2011, all upper expansion plates and Sander II appliances were equipped with a Theramon (R) microsensor chip to assess appliance wear time objectively. According to their pre-treatment, BMI normal weight patients were matched to consecutively treated overweight or obese patients by gender, age, and appliance type. Cooperation was assessed with microelectronic wear time documentation over a period of at least 6 months.

Results: A total of 50 patients (25 overweight, 25 normal weight) with upper expansion plates and 64 patients (32 overweight, 32 normal weight) with Sander II appliances were analysed. Spearman Rho coefficients showed an indirect association between BMI and appliance wear time, indicating that the higher the BMI, the less the patients wore their appliances (P < 0.05). Furthermore, both normal- and overweight children wore upper expansion plates significantly more than Sander II appliances (P < 0.05). Although no gender-specific difference was found (P = 0.723), an age-related correlation could be verified, indicating a decrease in wear time with increasing age (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: An increased BMI appears to be a risk factor for less appliance wear during orthodontic treatment with removable appliances. Additional factors which influenced cooperation during treatment with removable appliances were patient age and appliance type.

Harvard Citation style: von Bremen, J., Lorenz, N., Ludwig, B. and Ruf, S. (2018) Increased BMI in children - an indicator for less compliance during orthodontic treatment with removable appliances, European Journal of Orthodontics, 40(4), pp. 350-355. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejo/cjy007

APA Citation style: von Bremen, J., Lorenz, N., Ludwig, B., & Ruf, S. (2018). Increased BMI in children - an indicator for less compliance during orthodontic treatment with removable appliances. European Journal of Orthodontics. 40(4), 350-355. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejo/cjy007