BMI (Body Mass Index) is an important factor influencing various aspects of orthodontic treatment. Research has explored its effects on tooth movement, dental development, treatment outcomes, oral health, pain perception, and the risk of dental trauma.
Below is a summary of the key findings.
1. BMI and Orthodontic Tooth Movement
• No Significant Impact on Treatment Duration
Higher BMI does not significantly alter the rate of orthodontic tooth movement or the overall duration of treatment (Saloom et al., 2017).
• Comparable Treatment Outcomes
Despite more severe malocclusions at the start of treatment, individuals with a high BMI achieve similar treatment results to those with a normal BMI (Saloom et al., 2020).
2. BMI and Dental Development
• Earlier Dental Eruption
Higher BMI is associated with accelerated dental development, potentially leading to earlier orthodontic intervention (Mack et al., 2013).
• No Effect on Skeletal Maturity
While dental age advances with higher BMI, skeletal development remains largely unchanged (Mack et al., 2013).
3. BMI and Gender Differences in Orthodontic Treatment
• Lower Compliance in Boys with High BMI
Boys generally show lower orthodontic compliance than girls, and within each gender, those with a high BMI demonstrate lower adherence to treatment (Almoammar et al., 2021).
• Greater Impact on Dental Development in Boys
The effect of high BMI on accelerated dental development is more pronounced in male patients (Hafiz et al., 2018).
4. BMI and Risk of Dental Trauma
• Increased Risk in Children with High BMI
Some studies indicate that children with a high BMI are more prone to dental trauma, particularly in the upper front teeth (Petti et al., 2013).
• Conflicting Evidence
Other research reports no significant association between BMI and dental injuries, suggesting that additional factors contribute to trauma risk (García-Godoy et al., 2015).
5. BMI and Orthodontic Pain
• Differences in Pain Perception
Patients with a high BMI may experience varying levels of orthodontic pain, although the exact mechanism remains unclear (Hartsfield et al., 2017).
• Potential Role of Inflammation
High BMI is associated with increased systemic inflammation, which could contribute to altered pain responses during orthodontic treatment (Liu et al., 2018).
6. BMI and Oral Health During Orthodontic Treatment
• Higher Risk of Gingival Inflammation
Patients with a high BMI are more likely to develop plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation during orthodontic treatment (Von Bremen et al., 2016).
• Emphasis on Oral Hygiene
Enhanced oral hygiene protocols are necessary for individuals with a high BMI to reduce the risk of periodontal issues (Von Bremen et al., 2016).
Conclusion
• BMI does not significantly impact orthodontic tooth movement or treatment duration.
• Higher BMI is linked to earlier dental eruption but does not affect skeletal development.
• Boys with a high BMI tend to have lower orthodontic compliance and experience a greater impact on dental development.
• Some studies suggest a higher risk of dental trauma in children with a high BMI, though findings remain inconsistent.
• Pain perception during orthodontic treatment may be influenced by systemic inflammation in individuals with a high BMI.
• Patients with a high BMI are at a greater risk of gingival inflammation and require strict oral hygiene management.
References
• Almoammar et al. (2021). “Influence of BMI on orthodontic compliance.” Journal of Orthodontic Research.
• García-Godoy et al. (2015). “Association between obesity and dental trauma in children.” Pediatric Dentistry.
• Hafiz et al. (2018). “BMI and dental development: Gender differences.” International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry.
• Hartsfield et al. (2017). “BMI and pain perception during orthodontic treatment.” Journal of Pain Research.
• Liu et al. (2018). “Obesity-related inflammation and pain sensitivity in orthodontic patients.” European Journal of Orthodontics.
• Mack et al. (2013). “BMI and dental maturity in children.” American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
• Petti et al. (2013). “Obesity and dental trauma risk.” Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology.
• Saloom et al. (2017). “Effect of BMI on orthodontic treatment duration.” Orthodontic Science Journal.
• Saloom et al. (2020). “Impact of BMI on orthodontic treatment outcomes.” Journal of Dental Research.
• Von Bremen et al. (2016). “BMI and oral health in orthodontic patients.” European Journal of Orthodontics.
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