Frequency of Malocclusion in 3 to 5-Year-Old Children in Isfahan, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study Publisher



Jafarzadeh M¹ ; Ehteshami A² ; Shanaghi A³ ; Marzoughi S⁴ ; Salarimoghaddam R⁵ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences Published:2021

Abstract

Background and Aim: Occlusion analysis in the primary dentition period can predict the occlusion of permanent dentition. This study aimed to assess the frequency of malocclusion in primary dentition period in 3 to 5-year-old preschool-ers in Isfahan city, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study analyzed the occlusion of primary teeth in 400 children between 3 to 5 years who were selected from 8 kindergartens in Isfahan city during 2019-2020. The dentition of children was clinically examined by a dental mirror and a tongue blade after obtaining consent from the parents. The children had all the primary teeth with no permanent tooth, and had no extraction in their treatment plan. The primary molar re-lationship, canine relationship, and anterior or posterior crossbite, overbite and overjet were all assessed and recorded. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Of all, 82.75% of the children had flush terminal plane (FTP), 10.25% had distal step, and 6% had mesial step. Class I canine relationship had the highest prevalence (87%) followed by class II (8.25%) and class III (4%). The frequency of increased overjet was 14.25%. Deep bite (15%) was the most prevalent maloc-clusion. Anterior and posterior crossbite had 6.25% prevalence. Conclusion: Relatively high prevalence of malocclusion in our study population calls for in-time assessment of primary occlusion for timely detection and management of malocclusions in the primary dentition period to prevent their aggra-vation. © 2021 Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University.