Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of occlusal traits and orthodontic treatment need and complexity in Estonian 7‐ to 10‐year‐old children. This data provides solid information for planning of orthodontic care. Data of 392 Estonian children (198 girls and 194 boys, mean age 9.0 years, range 7.1–10.4 years) was analysed in this cross‐sectional study. Assessed traits included first molar and canine sagittal relationship, overjet, overbite, crowding, midline diastema, crossbite, and scissor bite. Orthodontic treatment need and complexity were assessed using the Index of Complexity, Outcome, and Need. Parents' opinion regarding their child's teeth was determined using a questionnaire. The most prevalent occlusal traits were canine class I sagittal relationship (73.7%), midline diastema (73.0%), molar class I sagittal relationship (57.4%), and overbite ≥3.5 mm (51.8%). According to the Index of Complexity, Outcome, and Need, 64.3% of Estonian elementary school children were in need of orthodontic treatment. Treatment complexity was simple in 12.5%, mild in 38.8%, moderate in 22.7%, difficult in 14.0%, and very difficult in 12.0% of the children. Approximately 66.4% of the parents felt that their child needed orthodontic treatment. This study confirms earlier findings indicating that the most frequent sagittal relationship is class I in the first molars and class I in the canines. However, the sagittal relationship was asymmetric in more than half of the children. Correlation between objectively defined treatment need and parents' desire for treatment was high in Estonia.
Highlights
Orthodontic treatment has been found to improve oral health‐related quality of life (Silvola, Rusanen, Tolvanen, Pirttiniemi, & Lahti, 2012), and demand for orthodontic treatment is growing in many countries
No data exist on the prevalence of occlusal traits and orthodontic treatment need in Estonia, this study is the first in a series of extensive investigations analysing the prevalence of occlusal traits in children and adolescents from 3 to 21 years of age
66.4% of parents felt that their child needed orthodontic treatment, mainly for improvement of dental appearance (37.1%), reduction in the amount of caries (23.1%), and ease of cleaning (19.6%)
Summary
Orthodontic treatment has been found to improve oral health‐related quality of life (Silvola, Rusanen, Tolvanen, Pirttiniemi, & Lahti, 2012), and demand for orthodontic treatment is growing in many countries. In publically funded orthodontic care, data on occlusal traits among 7‐ to 10‐year‐olds are essential for planning of treatment strategies. In the oldest children of this age group, clinical signs of skeletal and dental deviations are often clearly visible enabling the further planning of, for example, work force and division of work. Planning of population‐based, cost‐effective health services should be founded on data focusing on the target country. No data exist on the prevalence of occlusal traits and orthodontic treatment need in Estonia, this study is the first in a series of extensive investigations analysing the prevalence of occlusal traits in children and adolescents from 3 to 21 years of age. Recruitment of 7‐ to 10‐year‐old children started in November 2009 and was completed in December 2010. All the second‐grade children in selected schools were invited to participate in the study
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