title: Malocclusion and early orthodontic treatment requirements in the mixed dentitions of a population of Nigerian children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of this study were to establish the prevalence of dental features that indicate a need for early intervention and to ascertain the prevalence of different methods of early treatment among a population of Nigerian children in mixed dentition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Occlusal relationships were evaluated in 101 children in mixed dentition between the ages of 6 and 12 years who presented at the Orthodontic Unit, Department of Child Dental Health, Lagos University Teaching Hospital over a 2 years period. The need for different modes of early orthodontic treatment was also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anterior tooth rotations (61.4%) and increased overjet (44.6%) were the most prevalent occlusal anomalies. Others included deep bite (31.7%), reverse overjet (13.9%), and anterior open bite (14.8%). Severe maxillary spacing and crowding were exhibited in 12.0% and 5.0%, respectively. About a third (35.7%) of the subjects presented with crossbite while lip incompetence was observed in 43.6% of the subjects. About 44% of the subjects also presented with various oral habits with digit (15.8%) and lip sucking (9.9%) being the most prevalent. Subjects were recommended for treatment with 2 by 4 fixed orthodontic appliances (22.3%), habit breakers (20.7%), removable orthodontic appliances (16.5%), and extractions (15.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased overjet and anterior tooth rotation were the majority of occlusal anomalies seen, which are not only esthetically displeasing but may also cause an increased susceptibility to trauma to these teeth. Treatment options varied from extractions only to the use of appliance therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Dental Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluranti Olatokunbo
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: daCosta
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Dental Health, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Elfleda Angelina
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Aikins
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Dental Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Gerald Ikenna
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Isiekwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Dental Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Virginia Efunyemi
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Adediran
keywords: Early orthodontic treatment; Nigeria; malocclusion