Effect of fixed orthodontic appliances on self-assessment and diagnosis of halitosis in undergraduate dental students

• Published in: Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology Vol. 25; no. 5; pp. 432 - 437
• Main Authors: Santos, Diego, Besegato, João, Vieira, Sâmmea, Rached Dantas, Andrea, Silva, Aryvelto, da Silva, Alexandre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.09.2021; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Dental schools; dental students; Diagnosis; Halitosis; Off odor; Original; orthodontic appliances; Orthodontics; Self evaluation; Self-assessment; Students; Sulfur; Dental students; diagnosis; orthodontic appliances; self-assessment; halitosis
• ISSN: 0972-124X; 0975-1580
• DOI: 10.4103/jisp.jisp_327_20

Background: The effects of fixed orthodontic therapy on the occurrence of halitosis are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fixed orthodontic appliances on self-assessment and diagnosis of halitosis in undergraduate dental students. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two undergraduate dental students were included in this cross-sectional study. Two groups (n = 31 per group) were composed of participants with (study group) or without (control group) fixed orthodontic appliance. Halitosis self-assessment and clinical diagnosis were assessed using a visual analogic scale (VAS) and sulfur volatile compounds (SVCs) assessment, respectively. The subjective (VAS) and objective (SVC) malodor assessments were classified in absence, light, moderate, or severe malodor. Chi-square Pearson test and Spearman's correlation were applied for data analysis, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The use of fixed orthodontic appliances had no effect on self-assessment (P = 0.490) or clinical diagnosis (P = 0.610) of halitosis. Self-assessment was not significantly associated with the diagnosis of halitosis regardless the use of fixed orthodontic appliance (P ≥ 0.737). Male participants showed higher diagnosis of halitosis (P = 0.007). SVC measurements showed the absence of halitosis in 51.6% and 58.1% of participants with or without orthodontic appliances, respectively. Conclusion: The use of fixed orthodontic appliances affected the self-assessment of halitosis but no SVC measurements. It was not verified a correlation between subjective and objective methods to diagnose halitosis in dental students.