Alterations of oral functions and dental malocclusions in adolescents: a cross-sectional population-based study

Abstract

This article aims to assess whether alterations of oral functions (AOF) are associated with malocclusion (MO)’s type and severity. Cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 332 adolescents aged 12 years in São Luís-MA, Northeastern Brazil. MO criteria included Angle’s classification, Dental Aesthetic Index, and other morphological problems. The AOF were evaluated by breathing, phonation, chewing, and swallowing. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using logistic and multinomial regression analyses (α=5%). Mouth breathing was associated with defined (OR=3.84; 95%CI=1.45-10.12), disabling (OR=4.34; 95%CI=1.99-9.49), and class III (OR=4.15; 95%CI=1.19-14.54) MO. Phonation problems were associated with defined (OR=2.01; 95%CI=1.02-4.39), disabling (OR=3.04; 95%CI=1.55-5.96), and Class II (OR=2.02; 95%CI=1.28-3.18) MO. Chewing disorders were associated with posterior crossbite (PCB) (OR=2.32; 95%CI=1.12-4.82). Swallowing disorders were associated with Class III MO (OR=5.66; 95%CI=1.35-23.71), PCB (OR=6.13; 95%CI=2.76-13.62), and posterior open bite (OR=4.53; 95%CI=1.72-8.92). Breathing and phonation alterations are associated with MO in anterior arch segments, while chewing and swallowing disorders, in the posterior segments.

Contextual and Individual Determinants of Anterior Open Bite in Adolescents

“…Other studies have already shown the association between malocclusion and social determinants, 6 , 9 , 13 , 26 but not with a contextual variable such as the municipal HDI associated with AOB. The lower municipal HDI results indicate that adolescents living in less affluent cities have a higher chance of being found with AOB.…”

“… 24 Over the years of facial growth, this oral behaviour might be a disabling AOB in need of costly orthodontic treatment and minimally associated with oral functional therapy. 13 Pacifier, lip, lingual, and thumb sucking, lip and nail biting, and tongue thrust, amongst other dysfunctional oral habits, 25 might be interrupted earlier, preventing AOB and its severity. The lower AOB prevalence amongst individuals with mixed dentition than amongst those with deciduous dentition suggests the importance of orofacial dysfunction over the dentoalveolar complex for AOB genesis.…”

“… 9 AOB has a multifactorial aetiology, including hereditary factors in skeletal malocclusion such as the facial vertical growth pattern, 10 environmental factors, and behavioural habits, 11 such as digital thumb suction and oral respiration, 12 which influence alveolar bone stability. 13 …”

Clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical changes of the superficial marginal periodontium caused by orthodontic treatment with fixed metallic orthodontic appliances

“…), hormonal imbalances and disorders, such as gigantism induced by pituitary adenomas, craniofacial trauma, premature loss of primary teeth, congenital anatomical defects (e.g., lip split, palatal split), etc. [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”