Malocclusion and socioeconomic indicators in primary dentition

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and associations with socioeconomic indicators among preschoolers. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 732 children 3 to 5 years of age in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil. Three dentists underwent a calibration exercise (K = 0.85-0.90) and diagnosed malocclusion based on the criteria proposed by Foster & Hamilton and Grabowski et al. Parents/guardians answered a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic aspects. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and bivariate Poisson regression (PR; α = 5%). The prevalence of malocclusion was 62.4%. The most frequent types were increased overjet (42.6%), anterior open bite (21%) and deep overbite (19.3%). An association was found between malocclusion and age: the prevalence of malocclusion was greater among younger children, with the highest prevalence among 3-year-olds (PR = 1.116; 95%CI = 1.049-1.187). The prevalence of malocclusion was high. Mother's schooling and household income were not associated with malocclusion. Socioeconomic factors were also not associated with the occurrence of malocclusion.

Malocclusion in schoolhildren aged 7-12 years old in Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…It may also be related to skeletal 27 and environmental factors that interfere directly in the development of occlusion 26 . Furthermore, it is pointed out that studies have shown that posterior cross bite is always more frequent than the anterior type in children in this age group 1,4,8,[14][15] , and that unilateral posterior cross bite has been more frequent than the bilateral type 16,18 . Cross bites must be treated as soon as they are detected, because a purely dental malocclusion may lead to problems of skeletal growth and deviations, in addition to causing occlusal traumas, adverse periodontal problems, mobility or even fractures [27][28] .…”

“…The existent epidemiological studies conducted in Brazil have indicated that the larger portion of children in the mixed dentition stage present some type of morphological deviation in occlusion that varies between 66.00% and 96.80% 1,4,[6][7][8]10,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] and are defined as malocclusion. High rates are expected in this age group, since the intense occlusal changes and exchanges of teeth occur in this period 1 .…”

“…In addition, it is of a multifactorial nature, with hereditary, congenital, functional, environmental, nutritional, socioeconomic and educational influences 3 . Deleterious habits, among them finger and pacifier sucking, are described in the literature as the main etiologic factors of malocclusion in the primary and mixed stages of dentition [4][5][6] . Epidemiological studies on oral health and prevalence of malocclusion in a certain region provide important data to enable planning of the measures necessary for a reduction in the incidence of unfavorable factors, in addition to interception of the skeletal problems at a suitable age 7 .…”

Assessment of occlusal characteristics of the primary dentition: a cross-sectional study in Brazilian preschool children

“…It is generally agreed that the occlusion of primary dentition plays a role in determining the occlusion in corresponding permanent dentition 2,3 . A great number of studies report the prevalence of malocclusion in different populations, with rates ranging from 34% to 67% 11,13,14 . The criteria employed for determining malocclusion is likely the most important factor explaining these differences.…”

Occlusal Characteristics of Children with Class I Malocclusion in Northeastern Brazil

“…Although it is a significant rate, a high percentage is expected in this age group given the intense dental changes occurring in this period. Epidemiological studies indicate that the majority of children with mixed dentition have some kind of morphological deviation in occlusion, with rates ranging from 66 to 96.8% [13][14][15][16][17] . Such morphological deviations are defined as malocclusion.…”