Abstract
Aim This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate
the prevalence of malocclusion and associated factors in
preschoolers with the aim of assessing the existence of an
association between bad habits and mouth breathing with
the most severe malocclusions.
Materials and methods A sample of 1616 children aged
3–6 years was visited by applying the Baby ROMA index, an
orthodontic treatment need index for preschool age. The
following were searched: the prevalence of malocclusion,
the association of bad habits and mouth breathing with
malocclusion, how often are found in association and how
this association is statistically significant. Chi-square and
Fischer test were applied to verify the statistical significance
of the association between the variables.
Results The data show that 38% of the sample need
orthodontic treatment and 46% have signs of malocclusion
of less severe degree that require a close monitoring and
the elimination of risk factors so that they can improve
spontaneously with growth. Moreover the prevalence of bad
habits and oral breathing increases with increasing severity of
the malocclusion, and sucking habits and oral breathing are
both closely related to anterior open bite, posterior crossbite
and increased overjet.
Conclusions In the context of prevention and early
treatment of disorders of the craniofacial growth, bad habits
and mouth breathing, being risk factors of malocclusion,
should be intercepted and corrected early on to prevent the
development of malocclusion, or the worsening of existing
ones. From this point of view it is important to follow the
patients with a multidisciplinary approach.
Lingua originale | English |
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pagine (da-a) | 204-208 |
Numero di pagine | 5 |
Rivista | EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY |
Volume | 2019 |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2019 |
Keywords
- Malocclusion
- Mouth breathing