Evaluation of Crossbites in Relation with Dental Arch Widths, Occlusion Type, Nutritive and Non-nutritive Sucking Habits and Respiratory Factors in the Early Mixed Dentition.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the connection between dental arch widths, malocclusion type, nutritive sucking habits and non-nutritive sucking habits, and respiratory factors with the presence of crossbites (CB) in the early mixed dentition. Data were collected from 72 children with and without CB. A questionnaire was applied to parents/carers to obtain information about nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits. The posterior and anterior crossbites were diagnosed in a centric relationship. Dental arch widths were measured directly from the models by two calibrated examiners. The data were analysed statistically using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. The incidence of Class III malocclusion and the presence of ear, nose and throat problems in the study group were significantly higher than in the control subjects (p = 0.01, p = 0.047). The mean breastfeeding duration for children in the CB group was found significantly shorter than in the control subjects (p = 0.043). The number of children with mouth breathing in sleep was significantly higher in the CB group than the control subjects (p = 0.046). The children with CB demonstrated a statistically significant increase in mandibular intercanine width (ICW) than the control group (p = 0.044). The results demonstrated that an insufficient duration of breastfeeding, mouth breathing, ear-nose-throat problems and Class III malocclusion were associated with the presence of CB in the early mixed dentition.