Determining the Need for Orthodontic Treatment Based on Index of Complexity, Outcome and Treatment Need in the 12-15 Year Old Students in Ahvaz in 2014

Protruding and irregular teeth with malocclusion has long been regarded as a problem for many people، but in modern orthodontics، the number of people who interested in improving the problems associated with orthodontict reatment on facial appearance، has been more than in the past. In addition، various tools are available for screening and treatment planning، one of which is index of complexity، outcome and need (ICON). This study aims to assess the need for orthodontic treatment based on ICON in 12-15 yrs. old students in Ahvaz. Subjects and This cross sectional and descriptive- analytical study was performed on the 240 students 15-12 yrs. old in Ahvaz city schools. Data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and different indexes of ICON. The data were analyzed using SPSS-19. The threshold for need intervention was allocated as 43 on the scale. Based on the allocated threshold of 43، 19. 17% of students needed orthodontic treatment with ICON values of 22. 2% for girls and 16. 8% for boys. In addition، the average of ICON score of the students in this study was 32. 61 and there were no relationship between sex and age of students and their need for orthodontic treatment (P> 0. 05). Average ICON scores in the study population for both sexes was lower than the threshold need for treatment. Further studies based on this index and comparison with other indices is recommended in order to gain more understanding on the usefulness of this tool in screening and treatment of malocclusion teeth.