Contribution to the Study of Morphofunctional Characteristics of the Primary Dentition: Analysis of Preschool Children in the City of Canoas, RS, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the morphofunctional characteristics of the primary dentition in preschool children attending the Municipal Kindergartens of Canoas, RS, Brazil. Method: The study examined 923 children (51.9% boys; 48.1% girls) aged 3 to 5 years. The following characteristics were examined: type of arch (type I or II), presence of primate spaces (absent or present), canine relationship (class I, II or III) and the terminal plane of the second primary molars (straight, mesial step or distal step). Correlations of these variables with children’s age and gender were established. Data collection was based on physical examination with visual inspection made at the schools by duly calibrated examiners. Results: There was predominance of type II arch both in the maxillary arch (58%) and in the mandibular arch (55.8%), and 90.3% of the examined children presented primate spaces. Association with age was observed, as type I arch and primate spaces were more frequent in the 3-4-year-old age group. Class I canine relationship (57.3% in the right side; 61.3% in the left side) and the primary second molar relationship in straight plane (38.2% in the right side; 38.3% in the left side) were more frequent on both sides. Conclusion: The most prevalent morphofunctional characteristics were: type II arch, bilateral primate spaces, class I canine relationship and the straight terminal plane. The distribution of morphofunctional characteristics did not vary with the gender, but differed significantly with the age group.