Down syndrome: a risk factor for malocclusion severity?

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to compare aspects related to malocclusion between individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and a control group, establish malocclusion severity, and identify determinant factors. A total of 120 individuals (60 with DS and 60 with no physical or mental impairment), were included in the study. Data were collected through interviews, analyses of the medical charts, and oral examinations. The criteria of the Dental Aesthetic Index were used for the diagnosis of malocclusion. Chi-square test (p ≤ 0.05) and multivariate logistic regression were used for comparisons between the two groups and to determine the association between the dependent (malocclusion severity) and independent variables. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups for the following variables: missing teeth, diastema, overjet, mandibular protrusion, anterior open bite, posterior crossbite, facial type, lip incompetence, and Angle classification. DS, a history of premature birth, and long face pattern were found to be associated with malocclusion severity. Individuals with DS exhibited more occlusal problems than those in the control group.

Malocclusion in children and adolescents with Down syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…The 11 articles included in this systematic review were cross‐sectional studies. The papers were from Norway, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, USA, Jordan, Mexico, Nigeria, Argentina, Denmark, and Canada . Publication dates ranged from 1985 to 2016 .…”

“…Among the included studies, seven recruited participants with DS from specialized centres, two sought participants through the public hospitals, one from private offices, and one study did not report selection process of the participants . In relation to the control group, four studies included participants recruited in regular schools, five studies approached students of dental colleges, one in private office, and two studies did not report how the selection was carried out …”

“…Malocclusion was evaluated using the following indexes: Norwegian Need for Orthodontic Treatment Index (NOTI); Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI); Angle Classification; Peer Assessment Rating (PAR); Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need for treatment (ICON); and assessment of posterior crossbite; anterior crossbite; anterior open bite; mandibular overjet; mesial molar occlusion; crossbite; and crowding . Cephalometric analysis was also used to evaluate malocclusion …”

“…The worse the characteristics, the higher the overall score received. Based on the overall score, the individuals may be assigned to four grades of malocclusion with different orthodontic treatment recommendations: slight malocclusion/slight orthodontic treatment need (DAI score ≤ 25), definite malocclusion/elective orthodontic treatment (DAI score = 26‐30), severe malocclusion/highly desirable orthodontic treatment (DAI score = 31‐35), and very severe malocclusion/mandatory orthodontic treatment (DAI score ≥ 36) …”

“…Three studies evaluated the differences in crowding among DS and control adolescents . DS adolescents presented a higher prevalence of crowding than the controls ( P < 0.001) .…”