Impacto do uso do aparelho disjuntor palatino na qualidade de vida de crianças de 8 a 10 anos de idade

Abstract

This aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the use of palatal expander devices on the quality of life of children 8 to 10 years old who were being treated at the Department of Odontopediatrics and Orthodontic Clinics at The University of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). The subjects consisted of 35 children between the ages of 8-10 years of both genders from the orthodontic and odontopediatric clinics at The University of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais. Seventeen children were subjected to treatment with palatal expander devices (Haas, Haas Butterfly and Hyrax) and 18 children were just being monitored. To assess the quality of life of the children the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ 8-10), was used in the study and applied as an interview three times during the treatment: before placing the palatal expander, after the activation of the device and before removal. The intervals between interviews in the control group were similar to the intervals used with the group of children using the palatal expanders. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of UFMG and all children interviewed, along with their parents, signed a Terms of Consent form. Descriptive analyses were performed and the Anova test was used in the evaluation of the data. Sixty percent of the subjects were girls. As for the ages, 34.8% were 8 years of age, 45.7% were 9 and the rest were 10 years of age. The majority of the palatal expander group (70.6%) used the Hyrax device. The results show statistically significant differences in functional limitations between the groups only after activation of the device. In conclusion, palatal expander devices have a negative impact on the quality of life of children only in the initial period of use of the device.