Epidemiology of Facial Profiles, Occlusal Features, and Orthodontic Treatment Need among Adolescence: A Cross-sectional Study

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the incidence and severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among randomly selected high school students.

METHODS

A multistage stratified random-sampling study was conducted on 1,036 high school students in Sana'a city. The World Dental Federation and World Health Organization method of occlusal traits and the index of orthodontic treatment need were adopted for measurements. Clinically, the molar relationship and facial profile were examined. Assessment of whether examiner or subject perceived the need for orthodontic treatment was made using the esthetic component index. All data were analyzed using the Chi-square test with a significance level of p <0.05.

RESULTS

Normal, convex, and concave facial-profile measurements were found in 81.9, 12.1, and 6.15% of sampled students, respectively. Asymmetrical molar relationship was observed in 16.1% of samples, and most of them were of class I/class II relationships. Increased overjet was noticed in 90.9% of students. Anterior crossbite, deepbite, anterior openbite, posterior openbite, posterior crossbite, and scissor bite accounted for 12.2, 12.8, 3.5, 1.3, 6.6, and 0.6%, respectively. According to the index orthodontic treatment need, 38.9% of students needed some form of orthodontic treatment. Among these cases, 24.3% "definitely" needed treatment, and 59.9% of students needed orthodontic treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested a call for a more conservative treatment approach in dealing with malocclusion problems among high school students in all zones of Sana'a governorate, Yemen.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

A limited number of surveys were performed in Sana'a Governorate to investigate orthodontic treatment needs, facial profiles, and occlusal features among adolescents. The results of this study could guide us to develop a preventive system that minimizes its adverse effects and the need for costly orthodontic treatments.

Social Habits and Other Risk Factors that Cause Tooth Loss: An Associative Study Conducted in Taiz Governorate, Yemen

AIMS

To investigate the relationship between tooth loss, age, gender, and its correlation with several local habits that affect oral health, especially the khat, and Shammah use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The current study included 580 participants. They were divided into five age groups15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, and 55-64-years-old. Clinical and radiographic examinations were done for each subject. Reasons for teeth loss, age, gender, khat chewing, Shammah use, smoking, and use of oral hygiene aids were recorded. The data were statically analyzed using Chi-square tests of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) program. The p value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Caries was the most cause of tooth loss in the young age groups 15-34 years-old and was significantly more common compared to the older groups (p < 0.001). The periodontal diseases increased with age and progressively became the main cause of tooth loss of 100% in the 55-64 years-old group. Orthodontic reasons for tooth extractions were limited to the young age group 15-24 years old. Third molars were the highest extracted teeth in the maxillary arch, while the first molars were the highest in the mandibular arch. Anterior teeth were the lowest extracted teeth ranging from 9; 1.6% in maxillary teeth and 9-29; 1.6-5% in the mandibular teeth.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the importance of local habitual use of khat 52.9% and Shammah 8.1% besides smoking in tooth loss. Caries was the main cause of tooth loss in the young age groups, followed by the periodontal disease in the older age. Molars were frequently extracted followed by maxillary first premolars.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Limited number of epidemiological surveys were carried out in Taiz Governorate to investigate the reasons of tooth loss and its relationship with social habits like Khat chewing, Shammah use, smoking, using of Miswake and toothbrush. The results of this study will guide us to develop a preventive program which may minimize tooth loss and its adverse effects.