Occlusal Characteristics of Children with Class I Malocclusion in Northeastern Brazil
Janayne de Sousa Oliveira*1, Kezia Nogueira da Costa1, Maria Vieira de Lima Saintrain*2, Maria da Gloria Almeida Martins3
Citation : Janayne de Sousa Oliveira*, Kezia Nogueira da Costa, et.al., Occlusal Characteristics of Children with Class I Malocclusion in Northeastern Brazil International Journal of Research Studies in Biosciences 2016,4(10) : 18-22.
Introduction: Malocclusion is an oral health condition defined as an important health problem that may lead
to aesthetic dissatisfaction as well as changes in speech, breathing, posture, chewing, swallowing, disorders of
the temporomandibular joint and orofacial pain.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of occlusal characteristics of schoolchildren aged 10 to 12 years with
Class I malocclusion.
Methodology: Quantitative cross-sectional study with a sample of 125 schoolchildren from the city of
Fortaleza, located in the state of Ceara, Northeastern Brazil. Children's parents and grandparents should also
be from the same state. Children were examined by a dentist-surgeon in a dental office after prior authorization
from parents/legal guardians.
Results: The most prevalent occlusal characteristics were crowding (34.4%), biprotrusion (22.4%) and
anterior open bite (16.8%).
Conclusion: Occlusal characteristics such as crowding, biprotrusion and anterior open bite were far more
expressive than the others analyzed in the present study. The presence of malocclusion did not necessarily
indicate the need for surgical intervention. However, it points out the need for preventive care by a dentistsurgeon.