Prevalence of malocclusions in schoolchildren with mixed dentition in the city of Piracicaba, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of Class I, Class II and Class III Angle’s malocclusions and the associated problems open bite, cross-bite, anterior and posterior crowding, in schoolchildren of the public schools of Piracicaba’s city – São Paulo’s state. Methods: Four hundred and sixteen children were examined, 7 to 12 years of age, boys and girls, independent of the ethnic group and the socioeconomic condition. The children were examined in their own school by a professional graduated in Dentistry, are properly gagged. In the clinical exam wood spatulas were used to move away the check to facilitate the view of patient’s occlusal characteristics. Results: The examined scholars (86,6%) showed occlusal problems: 55,7% with Class I malocclusion, 19,7% with Class II-1ª division, 5,2% with Class II-2ª division and 6,0% with Class III. In relation to the associated problems, 16,5% showed anterior open bite, 3,3% anterior cross-bite , 15,8% posterior cross-bite, 3,6% anterior and posterior cross-bite and 52,6% anterior and inferior crowding.