Prevalence of Posterior Cross Bite in 3-5-Year-Old Children from Vitória, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of posterior cross bite and the possible association with deleterious oral habits in 3-5-year-old children from Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil. Material and Methods: This retrospective observational study with a longitudinal design used as parameters for sample calculation prevalence of 35%, confidence level of 95% and error of 5%. The final random sample included 903 children, proportionally distributed according to the number of children enrolled per school. Thus, the representative sample of 9,829 children enrolled in public schools of Vitoria was guaranteed. A questionnaire with six open and eighteen closed items was used to collect data on socioeconomic status, age, sex and deleterious habits. Clinical exams were carried out by trained examiners (Kappa 0.86) for posterior cross bite diagnosis. The association between variables was verified by the Chi-Square Test and Fisher Exact Test. Odds Ratio evaluated the association strength. This research was approved by the UFES Ethics Research Committee. Results: The prevalence of cross bite was of 16.2% and children that used pacifier were two times more likely to develop posterior cross bite (OR = 1.775; CI 95% = 1.242; 2.537). Conclusion: The prevalence of posterior cross bite was expressive, and thumb sucking and pacifier use were considered risk factors. Association was verified with the habit of using pacifier, increasing twice the likelihood of presenting malocclusion and posterior cross bite.