Prevalence of occlusal traits and orthodontic treatment need in 14 year-old adolescents in Northeast Italy

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ABSTRACT

Aim

Studies on prevalence of malocclusion support the planning and provision of public dental services. The aim of the
study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and occlusal traits in adolescents aged 14 years from public secondary schools in
the area of Health District n.15 - Veneto region, Italy.

Methods

Study design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods:
Out of a randomly selected sample of 1187 subjects, 444 adolescents (55 males, 45 females) were evaluated in the
school settings according to the criteria adopted by Brunelle et al. [1996]. Alginate impressions were then taken for 380 students
together with a wax bite. The occlusal traits of the cast were analysed and IOTN was established.

Results

The most common
occlusal traits measured on casts were overjet >3 mm (48), overbite >3 mm (39), midline misalignment
(32), crowding (30), 99 of the sample showed at least one occlusal trait. Class I molar relationship prevailed
(75.5) and the prevalence of molar asymmetries was 21.9. The prevalence of anterior and posterior crossbite and open
bite was significantly higher in females, while the mean values of overjet and overbite were higher in males. The distribution of IOTN in
the study population showed that only 49.5 had no or little need of treatment, and more than one third (35.8) were
assigned a 4 or 5 score. Statistics: Descriptive statistics are expressed as a percentage ( confidence interval) or mean
standard deviation, according to the nature of the variable. CONCLUSIONS: These outcomes indicate a high prevalence of
the aforementioned occlusal traits and also a high need for orthodontic treatment among adolescents in Northeast Italy

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