Patient perception of jaw functional stability after orthodontic treatment

The purpose of this study was to investigate numerical evaluations of patient perceptions related to jaw functional stability before and after orthodontic treatment. One hundred and fifteen subjects were assessed by 12-item questionnaire regarding self-perception with a visual analog scale from 0 to 100 (VAS). Comparing the questions before and after treatment showed significant differences regarding the satisfactory jaw functions in all items. The highest scores after treatment were biting feeling (Q1) and biting stability (Q2) in posterior teeth, indicating that the subjects had a greater degree of satisfaction after treatment. The highest correlation coefficients were Q1 and Q2 before and after treatment, respectively. The result of stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that Q2 seemed to accompany Q1, biting feeling during meals (Q3), and jaw movements while singing and talking before treatment. After treatment, Q2 seemed to accompany Q1 and Q3. These factors explain to be a significant prediction in functional stability response before and after treatment.