Prevalence and Associated Factors of Malocclusion among Preschool Children in Huizhou, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Orthodontic treatment needs in 10-12-year-old school children from Sulaimani City, Iraq: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Malocclusion is a prevalent oral health concern worldwide, ranking third after dental caries and periodontal disease. Early identification and intervention in childhood can prevent its progression into adulthood. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is widely used to assess malocclusion severity. However, global studies using the IOTN have reported varying malocclusion prevalence rates, which are influenced by socioeconomic and ethnic factors. This study aimed to examine the orthodontic treatment needs among Iraqi children aged 10-12.

METHODS

A total of 384 children (173 boys and 211 girls) were randomly selected from four distinct regions in Sulaimani, Iraq. Eligibility criteria included Iraqi children aged 10-12 years with no history of orthodontic treatment, non-nutritive sucking habits, or craniofacial anomalies. Evaluations took place in school environments, using criteria from the American Board of Orthodontics to assess overjet, reverse overjet, overbite, anterior openbite, and buccal crossbite. Malocclusion severity was categorized using the Dental Health Component of the IOTN. Data analysis included chi-square testing, and 95% confidence intervals to interpret findings.

RESULTS

Most children had mild treatment needs (Grade 2: 36.2%), followed by no treatment required (Grade 1: 31.3%) and moderate needs (Grade 3: 24.5%). More severe cases were less common, with Grade 4 (4.7%) and Grade 5 (3.4%). Overbite was the most prevalent malocclusion requiring treatment, while overjet had the lowest demand. No significant gender differences were found (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Mild to moderate malocclusion was prevalent, with overbite and crossbite being the most frequent conditions requiring treatment. Overjet exhibited the lowest treatment demand, and gender differences were not significant, suggesting equal applicability of orthodontic programs to both boys and girls.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

Malocclusion in deciduous dentition: a cross-sectional study in a Portuguese preschool population

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence of malocclusion in Portuguese preschool children, to characterise occlusion in the deciduous dentition, and to study the relationship between malocclusion, sex, and age.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 3-6 years old children, from 25 randomly selected kindergartens from the Lisbon district. Data were collected through an oral examination. Malocclusion was defined as the presence of any type of occlusion anomaly (anterior crossbite, edge-to-edge, increased overjet, open bite, deep overbite, posterior crossbite, scissor bite), spacing anomaly (crowding), or dentition anomaly (supernumerary teeth, agenesis, malformations). Canine class, terminal plane of the deciduous second molars and type of Baume arch were also recorded. Statistical analysis included descriptive and chi-squared test (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

The sample included 426 children with a global prevalence of malocclusion of 60.6%. Occlusion anomalies were the most prevalent (59.2%), the most frequent being deep overbite (27%), increased overjet (22.1%) and posterior crossbite (14.1%). Crowding had a prevalence of 1.6% and agenesis of 1.4%. Class I canine (57.3%), straight second molar terminal plane (60.1%) and type I Baume arch (53.3%) were the most common. The mean overjet was 2.6 mm (sd = 2.1) and the mean overbite was 2.2 mm (sd = 2.1). Age was associated with the presence of occlusion anomalies (p = 0.03), and increased overjet prevalence was found to be higher in girls (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of malocclusion was high, with occlusion anomalies being the most prevalent. It is important to identify modifiable risk factors associated with malocclusion to prevent this condition in both the deciduous and permanent dentitions.

Prevalence of Malocclusion Traits in Primary Dentition, 2010-2024: A Systematic Review

The present review was aimed to describe the prevalence and the regional distribution of malocclusion among preschool children worldwide. Two independent reviewers performed a systematic literature search to identify English publications from January 2010 to May 2024 using PubMed, ISI Web of Science and Embase. Search MeSH key words were "malocclusion", "primary dentition" and "child, preschool". The reporting quality was assessed by the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. We identified 2599 publications and recruited 47 articles. Fourteen of the included studies were conducted in Asia, four in Europe, twenty-eight in South America and one in Africa. The prevalence of malocclusion ranged from 28.4% to 83.9%, and half of the reported prevalences were higher than 50%. The highest percentage was in Asia (61.81%), followed by Europe (61.50%), South America (52.69%) and Africa (32.50%). Statistically significant differences existed in deep overbite, anterior open bite, posterior crossbite, edge-to-edge incisor relationship and distal step between continents (p < 0.05). Europe showed the highest prevalence (33.08%) of deep overbite. Africa showed the highest prevalence (18.60%) of anterior open bite. Europe showed the highest prevalence (15.38%) of posterior crossbite. The most common malocclusion traits were increased overjet and deep overbite. To conclude, malocclusion remained prevalent in the primary dentition and varied between countries.

Oral Habits in Childhood and Occlusal Pathologies: A Cohort Study

PURPOSE

To analyse the relationship between the different habits that occur in childhood and the different malocclusions in the three planes of space.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A clinical examination of 106 children between 5 and 12 years of age was carried out and a survey validated by professors of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Seville was made for the parents in order to identify the habits and relate them to the possible malocclusions detected in the child's mouth.

RESULTS

72.64% of the sample presented a malocclusion in at least one of the three planes of space, with a similar distribution. When correlating the variables, statistically significant relationships were observed in the vertical plane with atypical swallowing (p = 0 < 0.05; V > 0.3) and lip sucking (p = 0 < 0.05; V > 0.3) and in the horizontal plane with oral breathing (p = 0 < 0.05; V > 0.3), atypical swallowing (p = 0 < 0.05; V < 0.3) and digital sucking (p = 0 < 0.05; V < 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

It has been observed that the prevalence and prolongation of habits in childhood is increasing, so it is essential to detect pernicious habits at an early age to prevent the establishment of malocclusions and to favour the correct craniofacial growth of the child.

Orthodontic Treatment for Borderline Class III Malocclusion in Adults: Nonextraction Treatment with Anterior Bite Turbo: A Case Report

Retrusive upper lips, retroclined upper incisors, a shorter midface, and a larger maxillary-mandibular difference are the characteristics of borderline Class III malocclusion. Individuals with borderline Class III malocclusion frequently exhibit certain morphologic, dental, and skeletal traits, which should aid in the diagnosis of the condition. To report the case of a 22-year-old Vietnamese woman who complained of having tense front teeth and lacking confidence when smiling. Medical history did not find anything strange, there was root canal treatment of the first premolar on the left of the upper jaw, asymmetrical concave chin, and right deviation. Orthodontic camouflage treatment using anterior bite turbos in combination with early light short Class III elastics and box elastics was proposed since the patient declined to have orthognathic surgery. In just 10 months of treatment, a Class I molar and canine relationship was created, an anterior crossbite was corrected via mandibular retraction, and severe skeletal malocclusions were successfully treated without orthognathic surgery. Smiling currently showcases the patient's maxillary incisors more prominently, and her lower lip fullness has diminished, giving her a more attractive smile and a significant improvement to her facial profile.