Malocclusion traits and sucking habits in preschool children: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of malocclusion traits altogether and separate in anterior open bite, accentuated overjet and posterior cross-bite, and the possible association between them and sucking habits and breastfeeding. Methods : A preschool-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 472 children aged 24-60 months and their parents (response rate 86.6%). Three trained dentists (Kappa > 0.70) examine children for anterior open bite, accentuated overjet and posterior cross-bite and parents answered a questionnaire indicating the presence of breastfeeding, bottle usage, pacifier usage, finger sucking and the length of usage of all these habits. Results : The prevalence of malocclusion traits was 38.8%, Accentuated overjet was the most prevalent (30.3%) followed by posterior cross-bite (8.9%) and anterior open bite (7.4%). The unadjusted Poisson regression showed that children who were not breastfed had 63.0% more prevalent malocclusion traits when compared with those who were breastfed (RP 1.63, 95%CI 1.06-2.50). Length of pacifier usage in months was the only habit remained in the adjusted model associated with anterior open bite (RP 1.10, 95%CI 1.05-1.14, p < 0.000) and accentuated overjet (RP 1.03, 95%CI 1.01- .05, p = 0.004). For posterior cross-bite none habit showed association in the adjusted model. All models were adjusted for age and sex. Conclusion : Accentuated overjet is the most prevalent malocclusion trait. Length of pacifier usage is associated with the presence of malocclusion traits, anterior open bite and accentuated overjet. None of the investigated habits is associated with posterior cross-bite.