Back to Search Start Over

Preoccupation with one's appearance: a motivating factor for cosmetic dental treatment?

Preoccupation with one's appearance: a motivating factor for cosmetic dental treatment?

Authors :
De Jongh A
Oosterink FM
van Rood YR
Aartman IH
Source :
British dental journal [Br Dent J] 2008 Jun 28; Vol. 204 (12), pp. 691-5; discussion 668.
Publication Year :
2008

Abstract

Background: It has been estimated that among patients presenting for cosmetic treatments up to 15% suffer from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a psychiatric condition characterised by a preoccupation with an imagined defect in appearance.<br />Objectives: The main purpose of the current study was to establish the relationship between presence of BDD characteristics and interest in aesthetically motivated dental treatments.<br />Methods: Data were obtained by means of a survey within a sample of 879 Dutch citizens of 16 years and older. Characteristics of BDD were assessed based on DSM-IV criteria.<br />Results: Only one of the BDD features (ie a preoccupation with a defect of appearance) emerged as a significant predictor of undergoing cosmetic dental treatments. Patients with such preoccupation were nine times more likely to consider tooth whitening, and six times more likely to consider orthodontic treatment. They were also five times more likely to be dissatisfied about their most recent treatment.<br />Conclusions: The results suggest that preoccupation with one's physical appearance is a motivating factor for undergoing certain types of cosmetic dental procedures.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1476-5373
Volume :
204
Issue :
12
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
British dental journal
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
18587365
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.522