Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 08 May 2025

Differences in the cooperation of teenagers for orthodontic treatment: Z Generation versus Y Generation

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DOI: 10.2319/112324-960.1
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ABSTRACT

Objectives

To compare orthodontic treatment cooperation between Generation Y and Generation Z teenagers and evaluate influence of age on compliance.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study analyzing records of 124 patients (62 from each generation) treated at Tel Aviv University Dental School between 2007 and 2021. Patient cooperation was assessed through weighted noncompliance scores incorporating elastic or headgear wear, oral hygiene, appointment attendance, appliance breakage, and new caries development. Each noncompliance incident was weighted (1.0 point for major incidents, 0.5 for minor) and standardized by treatment duration. Multiple regression analysis accounted for age differences.

Results

Mean age differed significantly between Generation Y (15.5 ± 1.7 years) and Generation Z (13.1 ± 1.6 years; P < .001). Initial noncooperation scores were similar (Generation Y: 36.8% ± 16.4%; Generation Z: 35.8% ± 15.8%; P = .732). After age adjustment, regression analysis revealed significantly higher noncooperation in Generation Y (B = 8.29; P = .014). Age independently influenced cooperation, with each year increase associated with a 3% decrease in noncooperation scores (B = −3.04; P < .001).

Conclusions

Generation Z teenagers exhibited better orthodontic treatment cooperation than Generation Y after age adjustment. Age independently predicted cooperation, with older teenagers showing better compliance regardless of generation. Treatment planning should consider both generational differences and individual patient factors when selecting compliance-dependent treatment options.

Copyright: © 2025 by The EH Angle Education and Research Foundation, Inc.

Contributor Notes

The first two authors contributed equally to this work.

Corresponding author: Dr Michael V. Joachim, Senior Faculty, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel (e-mail: michaeljo@tauex.tau.ac.il)
Received: 23 Nov 2024
Accepted: 13 Apr 2025
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