Distinguishing Profiles of Extraction Versus Non-extraction Cases Post-orthodontic Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES

It has been proposed that ideal esthetics are executed once the face, arch, and tooth forms are in consensus. While the profile can provide valuable insights into orthodontic treatment outcomes, it may not always be sufficient to definitively differentiate between cases treated with and without extractions. This raises the aim of the study to assess if dentists are able to differentiate between extraction and non-extraction orthodontic cases depending on the profile photographs of patients post-orthodontic treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was a retrospective cross-sectional survey among general dentists and dental specialists. A sample of 151 participants was approached through a multi-stage random sampling method. The statistical analysis for the study was conducted using chi-square tests of goodness of fit, Pearson chi-square, and the McNemar test.

RESULTS

Both orthodontists and other specialties performed significantly well in characterizing the cases. Orthodontists also performed significantly better than other dental specialties.

CONCLUSION

The present study challenges the initial hypothesis that dentists are unable to identify tooth extraction based on photographs. The findings reveal that both orthodontists and dentists from other specialties demonstrated a statistically significant ability to identify these characteristics from photographic evidence.