Prevalence of malocclusion in mentally retarded young adults

Abstract

Occlusal anomalies were recorded in 218 mentally retarded young adults, aged 13-19 yr. Down's syndrome was diagnosed in 37 cases. Among the Down's syndrome individuals 41% had mandibular overjet, 54% mesial molar occlusion, 38% frontal open bite and 65% crossbite. Also, the mentally retarded subjects without Down's syndrome had markedly increased frequencies of some of the anomalies when compared to normal individuals. Thus, 27% had extreme maxillary overjet, 6% mandibular overjet, 17% mesial molar occlusion, 23% frontal open bite and 29% crossbite. Orthodontic dental service for the mentally retarded has been neglected for a long time. Though many factors may contraindicate treatment, it should in many cases be possible to improve the dental situation for this group, thereby helping these patients to a better oral function.

Prevalence of Dental Malocclusion Among Children with Physical, Sensory and Neuropsychological Disabilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

“…The social-cultural differences also play a role in the variations of malocclusion prevalence observed between various communities. The same phenomenon applies on malocclusions in children with disabilities [8,9,22]. In many developed/western countries, malocclusions in these children is very common, with up to 90% of children displaying some form of malocclusions [8,13].…”

“…Some previous studies have reported up to 95% or higher prevalence of malocclusion among children with disabilities [7,8]. The reported prevalence of malocclusion in the general population ranges from 22 to 76 percent [9,10].…”

“…Age and social-cultural differences of the studied population as well as the variations in malocclusion classification and diagnostic criteria or indices used by researchers account for the big range of malocclusion reported worldwide [11,12]. In contrary, the type of disability is the main reason for disparities of reported malocclusion prevalence among handicapped people [8,[13][14][15].…”

“…Vittek et al, [13] and Viglid [8] reported more than 90% prevalence of malocclusions among subjects with cerebral palsy and Down's syndrome, respectively. Nonetheless, the reported prevalence of malocclusion for sensory and physically disabled subjects ranges from 27 to 58 percent [9,14].…”

Oral Health in Individuals with Down Syndrome

“…Other findings were anterior open bite, posterior crossbite, anterior crossbite, mesial molar occlusion, sagittal malocclusion (Desai, 1997) (Figure 4). Vigild (1985) recorded in 37 DS cases with 41% mandibular overjet, 54% mesial molar occlusion, 38% open bite and 65% crossbite. …”