Alterations of oral functions and dental malocclusions in adolescents: a cross-sectional population-based study.

Heloiza Viana Freitas,Cláudia Maria Coelho Alves,Erika Barbara Abreu Fonseca Thomaz,Alex Luiz Pozzobon Pereira,Fernando Neves Hugo,Luciana Freitas Gomes E Silva

doi:10.1590/1413-812320212611.3.07992020

Heloiza Viana Freitas, Cláudia Maria Coelho Alves + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-812320212611.3.07992020

Copy DOI

Abstract

This article aims to assess whether alterations of oral functions (AOF) are associated with malocclusion (MO)'s type and severity. Cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 332 adolescents aged 12 years in São Luís-MA, Northeastern Brazil. MO criteria included Angle's classification, Dental Aesthetic Index, and other morphological problems. The AOF were evaluated by breathing, phonation, chewing, and swallowing. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using logistic and multinomial regression analyses (α=5%). Mouth breathing was associated with defined (OR=3.84; 95%CI=1.45-10.12), disabling (OR=4.34; 95%CI=1.99-9.49), and class III (OR=4.15; 95%CI=1.19-14.54) MO. Phonation problems were associated with defined (OR=2.01; 95%CI=1.02-4.39), disabling (OR=3.04; 95%CI=1.55-5.96), and Class II (OR=2.02; 95%CI=1.28-3.18) MO. Chewing disorders were associated with posterior crossbite (PCB) (OR=2.32; 95%CI=1.12-4.82). Swallowing disorders were associated with Class III MO (OR=5.66; 95%CI=1.35-23.71), PCB (OR=6.13; 95%CI=2.76-13.62), and posterior open bite (OR=4.53; 95%CI=1.72-8.92). Breathing and phonation alterations are associated with MO in anterior arch segments, while chewing and swallowing disorders, in the posterior segments.

Highlights

MethodsDental malocclusion is a major oral health problem[1,2], given its high magnitude and aesthetic impact[3,4], possibly affecting psychosocial[5] and quality of life[6] aspects
Of the 349 eligible students, 11 students refused to participate in the study and six students were not present in school at the second evaluation
Adolescents with swallowing disorders were 466% more likely to have Class III malocclusion (OR=5.66; 95% confidence intervals (95%CI)=1.35-23.71), 513% more likely to have posterior crossbite (OR=6.13; 95%CI=2.76-13.62), and 353% more likely to have posterior open bite (OR=4.53; 95%CI=1.72-8.92) compared to those with normal swallowing (Table 4)

Summary

Introduction

Dental malocclusion is a major oral health problem[1,2], given its high magnitude and aesthetic impact[3,4], possibly affecting psychosocial[5] and quality of life[6] aspects. While 83.3%7 is recorded in India, in Brazil, 19.8% of 12-year-olds have very severe or disabling malocclusions, as per data from the latest national oral health survey[1]. Some studies have suggested an association between changes in breathing[9,10,11,14], speech adaptations[12,13], and swallowing[13,15] with malocclusions. Other authors found no association between functional alterations and malocclusions[16,17,18]

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion