Prevalence of malocclusal traits among 6–9-year-old male schoolchildren in Rass, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusal traits among male schoolchildren aged 6–9 years in Rass, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 304 male children in Rass, Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia. The molar relationships were recorded using Angle’s classification system and other occlusal traits, such as overjet, overbite, and crossbite, based on the methods of Bjoerk et al. for registration of malocclusion in centric occlusion. Descriptive statistics were used to check occlusal discrepancies and a chi-squared test was used to compare the malocclusion prevalence in three different age groups. Results: The frequencies of Angle’s Class I, Class II, and Class III molar relationships were 81.91%, 11.18%, and 6.91%, respectively. A total of 85.86% cases had normal overjet, whereas 90.13% of cases had normal overbite. The most prevalent malocclusion of the participants was increased overjet in 9.21%, followed by deep bite in 5.92%, deficient overjet in 4.93%, posterior crossbite in 3.95%, anterior open bite in 3.95%, and an anterior crossbite in 2.96%. No statistically significant difference was found age wise. Conclusion: The most frequent findings among Saudi male schoolchildren in the early mixed dentition were Class I molar relationship, normal overbite, and normal overjet. The most prevalent malocclusion trait was increased overjet followed by deep bite. Therefore, it is important to take children for an early orthodontic assessment.