The prevalence of malocclusion in urban Libyan schoolchildren
Open Access
- 1 January 2013
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Medknow in Journal of Orthodontic Science
- Vol. 2 (1), 1-6
- https://doi.org/10.4103/2278-0203.110325
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of malocclusion and its distribution among 12-17 year old Urban Libyan schoolchildren. Materials and Methods: A total of 900 subjects were examined, of which 343 fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 169 males and 174 females. Molar relationship, overjet (OJ), overbite (OB), midline deviation, crossbite, and crowding/spacing were recorded. Sexual dimorphism was explored using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square tests. Results: The prevalence of malocclusion was 95.6%. Class I, Class II division 1, Class II division 2 and Class III malocclusions comprised 66.5%, 21.9%, 3.5%, and 3.7% respectively of the total sample. The OJ percentage of 51% (zero-3.5 mm), 48.4% (>3.5 mm), 0.6% (≤−3.5 mm to >zero) was recorded, with no significant sex differences ( P=0.225). A normal overbite, increased and open bites were observed in 39.9%, 55.1%, and 2.3% of the group respectively with no sexual dimorphism ( P=0.970). Crossbite was present in 13.1% of the group, with no significant sex difference ( P=0.469). Crowding in the maxillary and mandibular arches were observed in13.9%, and 12.2% respectively. Spacing occurred in 9.4% and 7.9% of the examined maxillary and mandibular arches respectively, with no significant sex difference regarding the presence of spacing/crowding in the maxillary arch ( P>0.05). Males, however, had significantly more spacing and less crowding in the mandibular arch ( P<0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of malocclusion in Libyan schoolchildren is among the highest reported in the literature. Crowding is among the least reported manifestations of malocclusion.This publication has 22 references indexed in Scilit:
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