Prevalence of malocclusion among adolescents in South Indian population.
OBJECTIVE
To record prevalence of malocclusion among 2,400 adolescents in Karnataka state, India and to define difference in malocclusion status in urban and rural population.


METHODS
Randomized cross-sectional study.


METHODS
School students of Karnataka state, 24 August 2011 to 30 March 2012.


METHODS
School students in the age group of 13-17 years.


METHODS
Each individual was assessed for occlusal traits - sagittal occlusion, overjet, overbite, crowding, midline diastema, and crossbite.


METHODS
Examinations were computerized and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. Chi-square test was used for computing statistical significance.


RESULTS
87.79% of population had malocclusion. Out of which 89.45% had class I, 8.37% had class II, and 2.14% had class III malocclusion. Normal overjet and overbite was seen in 48.22 and 49.87% of subjects, respectively. Frequency of crowding was 58.12% and 15.43% of subjects had midline diastema. Anterior crossbite was present in 8.48% and posterior crossbite in 0.99%. Urban population had twice the class II sagittal occlusion, and increased overjet as compared to rural population.


CONCLUSIONS
Malocclusion is widely spread among population of Karnataka state, with greater prevalence in urban population. Early exfoliation of deciduous teeth and refined diet can be considered as viable etiological factors.
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Genesis Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Ferozepur, Punjab, India.
H
H
Kaur
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Sri Hasanamba Dental College, Hassan, Rajiv Gandhi University Health Sciences, Karnataka, India.
U S
US
Pavithra
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Sri Hasanamba Dental College, Hassan, Rajiv Gandhi University Health Sciences, Karnataka, India.
R
R
Abraham
Buccal occlusion; crossbite; crowding; malocclusion; midline diastema; overbite; overjet; prevalence; saggital occlusion