Perception and expectation. What do patients really want from the dental treatment?

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the subjective aspects related to the perception of dental appearance and expectations of patients who receive dental treatment in graduation clinics of the Araçatuba Dental School. Methods It was evaluated 362 patients of both gender aged over 18. The questionnaire included questions of demographic data, questions to assess facial and dental aesthetics, dental satisfaction and treatments considering patients notion to improve dental esthetics. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. Results The factor teeth for facial analysis and factor positioning in the arch for smile analysis were considered the most important subjects regarding the esthetic according to the respondents. 67.5% of patients were dissatisfied with the appearance of their teeth, and dissatisfaction with the color was the most important factor (66.8%). The treatment most desired was tooth whitening and 85.0% of patients said yes to it. Conclusion Respondents place great value on the teeth on the face appearance, and it can be seen that aesthetic treatments are highly valued in all age groups. There is a need for treatments to restore the function, but treatments to improve dental appearance were the most requested.

摘要
研究目的 本研究旨在探究在阿拉萨图巴牙科学院（Araçatuba Dental School）毕业实习门诊接受牙科治疗的患者，其对牙齿外观的感知及相关主观诉求。
研究方法 本研究共纳入362名年满18岁的男女患者。调查问卷涵盖人口统计学资料相关问题、评估面部与牙齿美学（dental aesthetics）的问题、牙齿满意度相关问题，以及围绕患者改善牙齿美观的诉求设计的治疗相关问题。采用描述性统计与卡方检验（chi-square test）对收集的数据进行分析。
研究结果 受访者认为，用于面部美学分析的牙齿因素与用于微笑分析的牙弓排列因素，是美学相关考量中最为重要的两项内容。67.5%的患者对自身牙齿外观不满意，其中对牙齿颜色不满意是最主要的不满因素，占比达66.8%。患者最期望的治疗方式为牙齿美白，85.0%的患者表示愿意接受该治疗。
研究结论 受访者高度重视牙齿对面部外观的影响，由此可见，美学治疗在各年龄层患者中均具有较高关注度。尽管临床仍需开展恢复牙齿功能的治疗，但改善牙齿外观的治疗需求最为迫切。