MRC Trial Shows Dental Brace Straightens ‘BUCK TEETH’ And Improves Self Esteem For Children As Young As Eight

Findings from the world’s largest orthodontic dental trial show children as young as eight who have prominent front teeth can benefit physically, socially and psychologically from having dental braces fitted. The study funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) showed the appliances corrected the position of teeth and significantly improved children’s confidence and self-esteem.

The five-year early-intervention trial led by Professor Kevin O’Brien at the University of Manchester included orthodontists based at 14 district hospitals across the UK. The trial is the first to investigate the socio-psychological aspects of treatment as well as the physical benefits.

The trial randomly allocated 174 children aged 8-10 into two groups. One group consisted of 89 children who had the corrective brace fitted, and a control group of 85 children were not given any corrective treatment at this time.

The trial showed that the 84% of the children who wore a ‘Twin Block’ brace for the duration of the study, successfully had their teeth re-aligned without causing changes to their facial bones.

Children with this problem are traditionally treated much later, when they are teenagers. But this trial showed that children would prefer to be spared years of teasing and anxiety even if it meant extra corrective dental work later on.

The children were asked to fill in questionnaires at the start of the study about their social experiences, such as bullying. The children also completed another questionnaire 15 months later. The results showed that corrective treatment had improved confidence and self-esteem.

Professor O’Brien said: “We’re extremely pleased by the results of this trial. We’ve successfully realigned children’s teeth but most dramatically it’s changed children’s perception of themselves.

“The children felt happier, were less anxious and felt they were more popular. In addition they felt they were teased less and had less negative comments about their teeth.”

“The trial also demonstrated that it is possible to include children of this age in discussions about choice of treatments and the benefits they perceived.”

The research is published this month in the world’s leading orthodontic dental journal; the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

The MRC has funded the research team for a further five years to follow-up participants to ensure intervention at this age results in permanent changes to position of the teeth.