MORPHOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL TRAITS OF MALOCCLUSION IN 3-5 YEAR-OLDS IN MOSHI, TANZANIA

Abstract

Objective: To assess the morphological and functional traits of malocclusion.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Moshi Municipality, Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.

Subjects: Examination for occlusal traits was done on 372 randomly selected 3-5-yearolds (157 males and 215 females).

Results: The overall prevalence of malocclusion was 26.9%. Females had significantlymore occlusal anomalies than males. The flush terminal plane (93.8%) was the commonestanteroposterior relation. Excessive maxillary overjet and deep-bite occurred in 5.1%and 21.5% of the children respectively. Reverse overbite (1.9%), frontal open-bite(1.6%), lateral open-bite (0.8%) and posterior cross-bite (0.3%) were relatively rare.Harmful oral habits were uncommon in this population. The sample mean for intercanine width in the maxilla was 31.1mm (SD ±2.72) and for the mandible 25.3mm (SD±2.46). Lack of natural spacing in the anterior segment of the maxilla occurred in 34.4%of the children and 33.6% in the mandible.

Conclusion: Generally, females had significantly more occlusal anomalies than males.The flush terminal plane was the commonest anteroposterior finding. Lack of naturalspacing in the anterior segments and deep bite were common.