COVID-19 Alters Orthodontic Patients’ Treatment Decisions

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes across various sectors, including dentistry. Within the field of orthodontics, the pandemic has prompted shifts in patients’ characteristics and treatment preferences. While previous studies have explored the general impact of the pandemic on dental care, few have delved into the specific changes in orthodontic patients’ patterns and decision-making processes.

Research Objectives and Methodology

To address this gap, a retrospective study was conducted, analyzing data from 311 orthodontic patients treated between 2018 and 2022, categorized into two groups: pre-pandemic (n = 167) and during the pandemic (n = 144). The study aimed to compare demographics, dental indices, and treatment decisions between the two groups, shedding light on the influence of the pandemic on orthodontic care.

COVID-19 Pandemic’s Prolonged Impact on Preventive Dental Care

The analysis revealed notable differences between pre-pandemic and pandemic-era orthodontic patients. During the pandemic, there was a decrease in the proportion of student patients compared to before. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the selection of ceramic brackets or Invisalign among patients during the pandemic, indicating a shift in treatment device preferences.

Impact on Malocclusion Severity

Interestingly, the study also found a higher percentage of class I dental malocclusions among patients during the pandemic, suggesting a potential trend towards less severe malocclusions during this period. Additionally, patients treated during the pandemic exhibited lower scores on the index of complexity outcome and need (ICON) and the degree of treatment difficulty, indicating less complex cases and lower treatment difficulty levels.

These findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced orthodontic patients’ characteristics and treatment decisions. Patients who continued seeking orthodontic care during the pandemic may have had less severe malocclusions and lower treatment difficulty levels. Furthermore, the observed increase in the selection of ceramic brackets and Invisalign highlights evolving preferences for orthodontic appliances during the pandemic.

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