Primary Molar Crown Height in Children with Recurrent Acute Otitis Media

Abstract

Methods: This cross-sectional study compared dental occlusion in 56 children (29 males and 27 females) between 5 and 7 years of age (mean of 5.8 years) enrolled in an ongoing, longitudinal study designed to characterize the changes in Eustachian tube (ET) anatomy and function between 3 and 8 years of age. Subjects with cleft palate, other syndromes predisposing to otitis media (OM), cholesteatoma, or past/current orthodontic treatment were excluded. Dental casts were made between 5 and 7 years of age and selected measurements on the casts from 29 children with a confirmed history of recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) that required placement of ventilation tubes were compared to those from 27 children with no past history of middle ear disease. Results: The measurements included overbite (%), overjet (mm) and mandibular second primary molar crown height (mm) made using a calibrated perioprobe and occlusal relationships referenced to the first molar were assigned. A discriminant function analysis identified average crown height (Avg CH) only as a predictor of group assignment and this was confirmed using a general linear model where Avg CH controlled for age was significantly higher in the control group ( P = .005) but not different between sexes or among races. While the sample population was relatively small, the enrolled subjects were prospectively followed for disease course and the group assignment is expected to be highly accurate. Conclusions: The results support those for a previously published study that reported a lesser vertical dimension of occlusion to characterize children with ET dysfunction and ME disease.