title: Down syndrome: a risk factor for malocclusion severity?
abstract: The aims of the present study were to compare aspects related to malocclusion between individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and a control group, establish malocclusion severity, and identify determinant factors. A total of 120 individuals (60 with DS and 60 with no physical or mental impairment), were included in the study. Data were collected through interviews, analyses of the medical charts, and oral examinations. The criteria of the Dental Aesthetic Index were used for the diagnosis of malocclusion. Chi-square test (p ≤ 0.05) and multivariate logistic regression were used for comparisons between the two groups and to determine the association between the dependent (malocclusion severity) and independent variables. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups for the following variables: missing teeth, diastema, overjet, mandibular protrusion, anterior open bite, posterior crossbite, facial type, lip incompetence, and Angle classification. DS, a history of premature birth, and long face pattern were found to be associated with malocclusion severity. Individuals with DS exhibited more occlusal problems than those in the control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, School of Biologic and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leandro Silva
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Eduardo Pinto
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Alcântara
authors.affiliation: Human Physiology Area, Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciano José
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, School of Biologic and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Letícia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ramos-Jorge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index