Prevalence of Malocclusion and Need for Early Orthodontic Treatment in Children

BACKGROUND: With the advent of functional appliances and orthopedic appliances the elimination and correction of skeletal and dental discrepancies has been much reduced. Most orthodontists agree that elimination of oral habits and orthopaedic treatment of class 3 malocclusion and posterior cross bites deserve treatment at an early age. Early treatment was proposed along the lines of "catch them in the young", and "you see it, you treat it" is the main ideology of Early Orthodonticc Treatment (EOT). Furthermore, the majority of children have habits driving the malocclusion. Mouth breathing, tongue thrusting and incorrect swallowing patterns are all known causes of malocclusion and poor facial growth. AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of dental feature that might result in malocclusion and need for early orthodontic treatment. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Groups of 532 school going children were selected and complete case history was taken and were categorized based on the type of malocclusions, dental features that can predetermine need for early orthodontic treatment. Statistical analysis used. RESULTS: The results shows the increase in prevalence of malocclusion and the dental features that gives clues for an orthodontist to frame up his treatment modalities not just for corrective orthodontics but for also preventive and interceptive orthodontics. CONCLUSION: Angle's Class I malocclusion is most commonly seen malocclusion followed by class II division 1 malocclusion followed by Angles class II division 2 malocclusion. In angle's class I malocclusion, incidence of crowding is more followed by proclination of anterior teeth. There is no significant difference between incidence of malocclusion in males and females. The children who needed immediate orthodontic care were more than the children who doesn't need an orthodontic treatment. Need for increase of awareness programs is required in order to educate the people about the early orthodontic treatment.