Prevalence of Malocclusion in Down Syndrome Individuals in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Malocclusion is an appreciable deviation from
the ideal occlusion that is considered unsatisfactory. The
prevalence of malocclusion could be affected by
ethnicity, race and genetic influence. The objective of this
study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusion
traits with respect to sagittal, transverse and vertical
relationships among Down syndrome.
Methods: The study was conducted among 19 Down
syndrome and 19 control individuals (age 10 -15 years; 10
males and 9 females for each study group). The mean
ages were 12.6  2.1 years and 12.4  1.7 years for Down
syndrome and controls respectively. Statistical
significance was evaluated using chi-square test. Fischer
exact test was used when an expected frequency
presentation was < 5. A significant level of p<0.05 was set
for this study.
Results: This showed class III skeletal pattern (Down
syndrome, 73.7%; control 21.1%) and class III incisal
(Down syndrome, 73.7%; control 26.3%), Posterior
crossbite (Down syndrome, 68.4%; control 10.6%) and
anterior crossbite (Down syndrome, 63.2%; control
15.8%) were significantly higher among Down syndrome
individuals. The prevalence of bilateral Angle class III was
31.6% and 5.3% for Down syndrome and control
individuals respectively. Anterior open bite was also more
prevalent among Down syndrome (26.3%) than control
(5.3%).
Conclusion: Down syndrome individuals had significant
higher prevalence of sagittal (skeletal pattern III, incisor
class III relationship, anterior crossbite), transverse
(posterior crossbite and anterior crossbite) and vertical
relationships (anterior open bite) than control individuals.
Orthodontists should take note of the high prevalence of
malocclusion among Down syndrome