The correlation between malocclusions and morphofunctional aspects: analysis of patients aged from 7 to 12 years old

Abstract

Objective: To classify the malocclusions and their occlusal and morphofunctional aspects in order to establish possible correlations. Material and Methods: The present observational and analytical study was performed within 432 dental records of patients. The patients were aged between 7 and 12 years old (228 males and 204 females) from an Educational Institute in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The data regarding the malocclusions and the related associations underwent parametric statistical tests for quantitative and qualitative analysis (ANOVA, Tukey test and Chi-square) considering the significance level at 5%. Results: Most of the patients had permanent dentition (58.6%), followed by mixed dentition. Angle’s Class II malocclusion was the most prevalent (67.2%), followed by Class I and III. Overbite and anterior open bite represented, respectively, 47% and 7.2% of the vertical discrepancies. The average overbite was 3.08mm, while the average overjet was 4.67mm. Approximately 43,1% of the sample presented moth breathing. Atypical swallowing reached 78.7% of the patients. Statistically significant correlations were observed associating Angle’s Class III malocclusion with anterior cross bite and bilateral posterior cross bite; as well as between Angle’s Class II with overbite, and Angle’s Class I with overbite and atypical swallowing. A correlation was observed between atypical swallowing; the use of pacifiers; and predominant mouth breathing (p<0.001). Conclusion: An important correlation was found between the type of malocclusions and the morphofunctional aspects of occlusion in patients aged from 7 to 12 years old, indicating the need for immediate intervention once the diagnosis is established.

Keywords: Applications of epidemiology, Malocclusion, Child.