The prevalence of malocclusal traits and their correlations in mixed dentition children: results from the Italian OHSAR Survey.

Purpose: To know the prevalence of malocclusal traits and their correlation in Italian mixed dentition children.

Materials And Methods: A sample of 1,198 children 7 to 11 years old, who had never undergone orthodontic treatment, were included in the Italian Oral Health of Schoolchildren of the Abruzzo Region (OHSAR) Survey. Canine and molar classes, overbite, overjet, dental crowding, maxillary midline diastema, crossbite and scissorbite were recorded. The canine and molar classes were considered as dependent variables, and their separate correlations with all of the other occlusal traits were analysed by multivariate methods.

Results: Over 90% of the children showed at least one malocclusal trait; the mean +/- SD of malocclusal traits was 3.5 +/- 1.8. Gender did not affect the prevalence of any malocclusal traits. Dental class II was correlated with increased overbite and overjet, and negatively correlated with the maxillary midline diastema; dental class III was correlated with decreased overbite and overjet, and crossbite. Asymmetrical dental class was correlated with increased overjet and crossbite. Dental crowding showed very little correlation.

Conclusions: The prevalence of malocclusal traits in Italian children is very high, and more effort is needed to implement early interventions, including close monitoring and modifications of lifestyle.