Occlusal characteristics during different emergence stages of the permanent dentition in Tanzanian Bantu and Finnish children

Abstract

Occlusal characteristics and anomalies were studied among 869 (428 boys, 441 girls) Tanzanian Bantu children aged 3.5-16 years and 706 (319 boys, 387 girls) Finnish children aged 5-11 years during different emergence stages of the permanent dentition. Various occlusal variables were registered according to described criteria. Multiple linear regression, ANOVA, t-test, Chi-square and logistic regression models were used to test for various statistically significant differences between different subgroups. Significant differences between Tanzanians and Finns were found for malocclusion, neutral and distal molar occlusion, mean values for overjet and overbite, overjet greater than 5 mm, deep bite and anterior open bite (all P < 0.0001). The most prevalent anomalies among Tanzanians were anterior open bite (7-19 per cent), increased overjet (3-19 per cent) and distal molar occlusion (3-16 per cent). For the Finns, distal molar occlusion (18-38 per cent) was the most prevalent anomaly, followed by deep bite (4-22 per cent) and increased overjet (4-40 per cent). An anterior crossbite was rare and equally distributed among the two ethnic groups. Girls had a larger mean value for overbite (P = 0.003) and more often a deep bite (P < 0.01) than boys. Mandibular incisor crowding among children with neutral occlusion (Class I malocclusion) occurred significantly more often among Finnish than Tanzanian children. In conclusion, various developmental changes in occlusion were observed leading to variation in occlusal characteristics and anomalies according to the emergence stages of the permanent dentition. Most of the classic malocclusions occur among Tanzanian children, but the prevalence differs from that in other parts of the world.

Risk factors for injuries to maxillary permanent incisors and upper lip among schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

“…Interestingly in this study, the increased overjet (> 3.5 mm) occurred in 31% of the children being higher than 12.2-19.3% reported previously in the Tanzanian population by Mugonzibwa and colleagues 24 . Mugonzibwa et al 24 , however, used a higher cut-off point of 5 mm for normal overjet which may account for the difference observed.…”

“…Interestingly in this study, the increased overjet (> 3.5 mm) occurred in 31% of the children being higher than 12.2–19.3% reported previously in the Tanzanian population by Mugonzibwa and colleagues 24 . Mugonzibwa et al.…”

“…Mugonzibwa et al. 24 , however, used a higher cut‐off point of 5 mm for normal overjet which may account for the difference observed.…”

Periodontal and dental conditions of a school population in a volcanic region of Tanzania with highly fluoridated community drinking water

“…As regards malocclusion, few recent investigations have analyzed and classified dental occlusion in school populations in northern Tanzania. [27][28][29] The objectives of the study were, on the one hand, to evaluate the oral health status and types of occlusion in this population, and to assess the possible association between dental fluorosis and other pathologies such as decay, gingivitis and periodontitis.…”

Prevalence of Orthodontic Malocclusion and Evaluation Criteria in 7 Geographic Regions of Turkey

“…1,2 A large number of epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of malocclusion and intraand extraoral evaluation criteria, such as Angle classification, crossbite, chin asymmetry, cleft lip and palate, midline diastema, and openbite, in different populations have been published. [3][4][5][6][7][8] The objective of epidemiologic studies in different geographic regions is to contribute to the development of preventive dental programs and to plan the distribution of health services according to treatment need. 9 The need for orthodontic treatment, the prevalence of malocclusion, and evaluation criteria have also been investigated for the Turkish population.…”