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of subjects (n = 165) reported a score of 3, followed Table 1: Age-wise and gender wise distribution of study
by score 1 (n = 156). Score 10 was reported by least population
subjects (n = 24). Male Female Total

When the IOTN‑AC scores are divided into three categories n % n % n %
based on the need for orthodontic treatment, maximum 16-18 years 210 49.65 213 50.45 423 100
subjects were found to report scores of 1–4 (60.9%), >18 years 318 56.08 249 43.82 567 100
followed by scores 5–7 (27%) and scores 8–10 (12.1%). Total 528 53.33 462 46.67 990 100

Table 3 represents the gender‑wise differences according
to the IOTN‑AC scores. The differences were not found Table 2: Distribution of the IOTN-AC scores in the study
to be statistically significant in relation to the perceived population
needs (P = 0.095). IOTN score n Percentage
Table 4 summarizes the perceived orthodontic need 1 156 15.8
IOTN‑AC scores according to age groups. The age wise 2 150 15.2
differences were found to be statistically significant in 3 165 16.7
relation to the perceived needs (P < 0.001). Significantly 4 132 13.3
greater proportion of the older adolescents (60%) showed 5 120 12.1
perceived orthodontic treatment. 6 93 9.4
7 54 5.5
8 60 6.1
DISCUSSION 9 36 3.6
10 24 2.4
The sample analyzed composed of older adolescents and Total 990 100.0
younger adults ranging in age between 16 and 24 years IOTN: Index of orthodontic treatment need, AC: Aesthetic component
old. People of this age range tend to be more socially
aware and conscious about their appearance than a Table 3: Gender wise distribution of the IOTN-AC scores
comparatively younger school going population. Further,
young people tend to show less physiological wear, Gender Male Female Total
wasting diseases, and periodontal diseases in their teeth n % n % n %
which if present might affect the accuracy of the method. Score 1–4 315 52.24 288 47.76 603 100
In this study, it appeared that the gender of the patients Score 5–7 156 58.42 111 41.58 267 100
did not influence the perception of their own dentition. Score 8–10 57 47.50 63 52.50 120 100
The female and male subjects of both age groups had a Total 528 53.33 462 46.67 990 100
tendency to score their dental appearance more favorably P = 0.095. IOTN: Index of orthodontic treatment need, AC: Aesthetic
and allocate themselves toward the more attractive end of component
the scale.
Table 4: Age-wise distribution of the IOTN-AC scores
When self‑perceived orthodontic treatment need was Age 16–18 years >18 years Total
evaluated by means of the AC of IOTN, only 12.12% of
the subjects self‑scored as presenting a definite need n % n % n %
for orthodontic treatment. Consistent to some other Score 1–4 234 38.81 389 61.19 603 100
studies, no statistically significant differences were Score 5–7 117 43.82 150 56.18 267 100
observed in perceived orthodontic needs according to Score 8–10 72 60 48 40 120 100
gender. [15,18] However, these findings were not consistent Total 423 42.73 567 57.27 990 100
to those of other studies. [24,27‑30] This is probably because P < 0.001. IOTN: Index of orthodontic treatment need, AC: Aesthetic
subjects were from a rural area and had a general lack component
of awareness of the presence of malocclusion. The race,
level of expectations (probably affected by their culture), where significant differences were not seen. Adolescence
and socioeconomic status of each population might also is the time when concern over appearance and facial
contribute to this. attractiveness is developing, which translates to an
increased awareness of body image. Teenagers, in
Statistically significant differences were found for particular have been found to attach great importance to
perceived needs according to age. Significantly greater an attractive dental appearance. The differences between
part of the older adolescents (60%) self‑scored as studies may result from ethnic variation and the age range
presenting a definite orthodontic treatment need of the adolescents in this present study. Ethnicity does
compared to younger adults. Similar findings were have an effect on self‑perceived need due to differences
observed in a study conducted by Alhaija et al. where in acceptable facial appearances and what is deemed as
[30]
significant differences were found when age groups were acceptable occlusion by different ethnic groups. It would
compared for the perceived need for treatment. However, thus be useful to validate the IOTN in different ethnic
this is in contradiction with some other studies [16,24,28,29] groups.

60 Plast Aesthet Res || Vol 1 || Issue 2 || Sep 2014