Dental caries in children with and without anterior crossbite: A case-control study

Abstract

Dental caries and malocclusion are one the most common dental health problems affecting individuals worldwide.There are conflicting opinions about the contribution of malocclusions to the development of dental caries and periodontal disease. The aim of the study was to determine the dental caries experience in children with and without anterior crossbite. Case sheets were reviewed from the dental treatment records for dental caries in children with anterior crossbite over 9 months. Inclusion criteria for case sample required children to be above the age of 10 and below the age of 18 and with presence of anterior crossbite. Final sample size taken for the study was 12 children. Data was analysed using SPSS software and Mann-Whitney was done. The results showed that the mean DMFT score for children with anterior crossbite is 0.75 and for the control group is 2.67. Within the limitations of the present study, children with anterior crossbite (case) showed lower incidence of dental caries than the control group.