To discuss the application effect of refined nursing in orthodontic patients. Methods A total of 80 orthodontic patients treated in the First People's Hospital of Zunyi from September 2021 to September 2023 were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into control group and experimental group, with 40 patients in each group. The control group was treated with routine nursing, and the experimental group was treated with refined nursing. The plaque index, gingival index, oral health impact, pain index, quality of life, nursing compliance and satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The gingival index and plaque index of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group (P <0.05). The total score of OHIP-14 and VAS score in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). The quality of life scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05). The nursing compliance rate of the experimental group was 97.50%, which was higher than 75.00% of the control group (P <0.05). The satisfaction rate of the experimental group was 97.50%, which was higher than 80.00% of the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion Refined nursing in orthodontic patients can improve the quality of life of patients, improve their nursing compliance, relieve pain, improve periodontal health, and patients' satisfaction is high, which is worthy of clinical application..