An audit of 'early debond' cases in the national outcomes audit of patients treated with upper and lower fixed appliances by Consultant Orthodontists in the UK.

OBJECTIVE

To audit the outcomes of the 'early debond' cohort of the national outcomes audit carried out by the Consultant Orthodontic Group of the British Orthodontic Society.

DESIGN

Multi-centre, retrospective national audit.

STANDARDS

Seventy-five per cent of cases should exhibit a reduction in PAR greater than 70% with 3% or less with a PAR score reduction of less than 30% (i.e. worse/no different).

METHOD

Analysis of consecutively completed cases treated by upper and lower fixed appliances that were noted by the operator as having discontinued treatment early.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of early debond, PAR outcome.

RESULTS

The 'early debond' cohort constituted 11% of the total 823 patients and fell below previously published standards for orthodontic treatment outcomes. They were less likely to be in the 'greatly improved' category, more likely to be in the 'improved' category and only slightly more likely to be in the 'worse/no different' category. There was a 67% reduction in PAR and 50% exhibited a reduction in PAR greater than 70%, with 6.5% having a reduction in PAR score lower than 30%.

CONCLUSION

Discontinuation of orthodontic treatment is associated with a reduced level of treatment outcome.