Investigation of the relationship between alexithymia, dental and general anxiety levels in orthodontic patients

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between alexithymia and anxiety levels in patients accepted to orthodontics for the first time and patients admitted for orthodontic treatment.

The study enlisted the participation of 200 individuals ranging in age from 11 to 20 years. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Orthodontic version of modified dental anxiety scale (MDASO), and orthodontic concerns list (OCL) questionnaires were used to assess the patients' alexithymia and anxiety levels. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

The "alexithymia" values evaluated using the TAS-20 questionnaire were found to be higher in boys than in girls. "state and trait anxiety" evaluated using STAI questionnaire did not differ between patients who applied to the orthodontic clinic for the first time and patients who were accepted for orthodontic treatment. "Orthodontic anxiety" evaluated using the MDASO questionnaire was found to be higher in individuals in the 11-15 age group compared to the individuals in the 16-20 age group.

The assessment of various personality and psychological conditions such as anxiety and alexithymic characteristics of individuals who applied for orthodontic treatment and were accepted for treatment should not be overlooked and should be performed at the start of long-term treatments such as orthodontic treatment.