Beyond Aesthetics: Understanding the Impact of Intrinsic Tooth Discoloration on Wellbeing of Patients in a Nigerian Population

Abstract

Background: Dental aesthetics plays a crucial role in facial aesthetics and influences personality assessment, giving an advantage to the more attractive individual. Tooth discoloration mares dental aesthetics, creating an aesthetic disadvantage to affected persons. This study sort to assess the impact of intrinsic tooth discoloration on the overall quality of life of those affected in a Nigerian population.

Methodology: The OHIP-aesthetics questionnaire consisting of seven domains was used in this study to collect data for analysis.

Results: Seventy (70) patients participated fully in the study, 46 females to 24 males, and an overall mean age of 26.80 ± 6.75 years. Most (60.0%) participants were of social class III. The overall mean score of OHIP-aesthetics was 30.66±1.32, functional limitation had the highest mean score of 6.76±0.21, while physical pain had the lowest 2.36±0.25, younger participants reported higher OHIP scores (32.19±2.14 ) than those in the older range (29.44±1.64.), lower levels of educational attainment, reported higher scores (30.63±1.42), than those with higher levels ((31.80±1.74), social classes (III\IV), reported higher scores ((31.80±1.74), than class I\II (28.73±1.97), females reported a higher mean score (30.72±1.59) than males (30.54±2.39) in this study. However, the differences in domain mean scores were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion: In this study, the participants reported a high negative impact of intrinsic tooth discoloration on their overall quality of life, particularly in the functional limitation domain translating to a low self-assessment of their physical appearance, their sense of self-esteem and confidence.