The impact self-esteem towards the orthodontic issues in the social media: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Orthodontic treatment has become significantly more accessible in recent decades, contributing positively to patients’ quality of life by enhancing dental aesthetics and self-esteem. This study aims to investigate how social media usage affects self-esteem, self-perceived aesthet...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | BMC Oral Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06290-x |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849389254314033152 |
|---|---|
| author | Gil Guilherme Gasparello Mohamad Jamal Bark Sergio Luiz Mota-Júnior Joel Suarez Matheus Melo Pithon Elisa Souza Camargo Orlando Motohiro Tanaka |
| author_facet | Gil Guilherme Gasparello Mohamad Jamal Bark Sergio Luiz Mota-Júnior Joel Suarez Matheus Melo Pithon Elisa Souza Camargo Orlando Motohiro Tanaka |
| author_sort | Gil Guilherme Gasparello |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Orthodontic treatment has become significantly more accessible in recent decades, contributing positively to patients’ quality of life by enhancing dental aesthetics and self-esteem. This study aims to investigate how social media usage affects self-esteem, self-perceived aesthetics, and the perceived need for orthodontic treatment among these generational groups. Materials and methods This cross-sectional observational study included 250 participants from three generational groups: Generation Z (born 1997–2012), Generation Y (born 1980–1996), and Generation X (born 1965–1979). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. The questionnaire covered background characteristics, patterns of social media usage, self-perceived aesthetics, orthodontic treatment need, and self-esteem. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used for self-perceived attractiveness and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) to evaluate self-esteem. Results The sample comprised 250 participants. Generation Z reported the highest average daily social media use (4.42 h), followed by Generation Y (3.28 h) and Generation X (2.65 h). Social media had a significantly greater impact on the work or studies of Generation Z compared to the other generations. Regarding social comparison, generation Z had a significantly higher tendency to compare their body appearance and life experiences than Generations Y and X. Regarding self-perceived dental aesthetics and orthodontic treatment need, although not statistically significant, Generation X reported the highest perceived need for orthodontic treatment, followed by Generation Y and Generation Z. Self-esteem scores did not differ significantly among generations. Generation Z recorded the lowest mean self-esteem score. Conclusion There were no significant generational differences in perceived orthodontic treatment needs. However, Generation Z exhibited higher social media usage and greater social comparison regarding body image and life experiences, indicating that social media may contribute more significantly role in shaping social pressures among younger generations. In addition, individuals with lower satisfaction in dental aesthetics perceived a higher need for orthodontic treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-79757d9d93a24eaeb1a6d322ff65ddbf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6831 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Oral Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-79757d9d93a24eaeb1a6d322ff65ddbf2025-08-20T03:42:01ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-07-012511910.1186/s12903-025-06290-xThe impact self-esteem towards the orthodontic issues in the social media: a cross-sectional studyGil Guilherme Gasparello0Mohamad Jamal Bark1Sergio Luiz Mota-Júnior2Joel Suarez3Matheus Melo Pithon4Elisa Souza Camargo5Orlando Motohiro Tanaka6Research Unit of Oral Health, University of OuluSchool of Medicine and Life Sciences, Dentistry Department, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná– PUCPRUniversidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroSchool of Medicine and Life Sciences, Dentistry Department, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná– PUCPRSouthwest Bahia State University - UESB. JequiéSchool of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do ParanáSchool of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do ParanáAbstract Background Orthodontic treatment has become significantly more accessible in recent decades, contributing positively to patients’ quality of life by enhancing dental aesthetics and self-esteem. This study aims to investigate how social media usage affects self-esteem, self-perceived aesthetics, and the perceived need for orthodontic treatment among these generational groups. Materials and methods This cross-sectional observational study included 250 participants from three generational groups: Generation Z (born 1997–2012), Generation Y (born 1980–1996), and Generation X (born 1965–1979). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. The questionnaire covered background characteristics, patterns of social media usage, self-perceived aesthetics, orthodontic treatment need, and self-esteem. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used for self-perceived attractiveness and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) to evaluate self-esteem. Results The sample comprised 250 participants. Generation Z reported the highest average daily social media use (4.42 h), followed by Generation Y (3.28 h) and Generation X (2.65 h). Social media had a significantly greater impact on the work or studies of Generation Z compared to the other generations. Regarding social comparison, generation Z had a significantly higher tendency to compare their body appearance and life experiences than Generations Y and X. Regarding self-perceived dental aesthetics and orthodontic treatment need, although not statistically significant, Generation X reported the highest perceived need for orthodontic treatment, followed by Generation Y and Generation Z. Self-esteem scores did not differ significantly among generations. Generation Z recorded the lowest mean self-esteem score. Conclusion There were no significant generational differences in perceived orthodontic treatment needs. However, Generation Z exhibited higher social media usage and greater social comparison regarding body image and life experiences, indicating that social media may contribute more significantly role in shaping social pressures among younger generations. In addition, individuals with lower satisfaction in dental aesthetics perceived a higher need for orthodontic treatment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06290-xOrthodonticsSocial mediaSelf-EsteemGenerations |
| spellingShingle | Gil Guilherme Gasparello Mohamad Jamal Bark Sergio Luiz Mota-Júnior Joel Suarez Matheus Melo Pithon Elisa Souza Camargo Orlando Motohiro Tanaka The impact self-esteem towards the orthodontic issues in the social media: a cross-sectional study BMC Oral Health Orthodontics Social media Self-Esteem Generations |
| title | The impact self-esteem towards the orthodontic issues in the social media: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | The impact self-esteem towards the orthodontic issues in the social media: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | The impact self-esteem towards the orthodontic issues in the social media: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact self-esteem towards the orthodontic issues in the social media: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | The impact self-esteem towards the orthodontic issues in the social media: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | impact self esteem towards the orthodontic issues in the social media a cross sectional study |
| topic | Orthodontics Social media Self-Esteem Generations |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06290-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gilguilhermegasparello theimpactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT mohamadjamalbark theimpactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT sergioluizmotajunior theimpactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT joelsuarez theimpactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT matheusmelopithon theimpactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT elisasouzacamargo theimpactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT orlandomotohirotanaka theimpactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT gilguilhermegasparello impactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT mohamadjamalbark impactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT sergioluizmotajunior impactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT joelsuarez impactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT matheusmelopithon impactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT elisasouzacamargo impactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy AT orlandomotohirotanaka impactselfesteemtowardstheorthodonticissuesinthesocialmediaacrosssectionalstudy |