Roya Hamedi, Fatemeh Niaghiha, Alireza Ebrahimi Bazzaz, Zohreh Yazdi, Hashem Ahmadzadeh, Fatemeh Pachenari

Abstract

background: Malocclusion detection is straightforward in the mixed dentition and is enabling more efficient provision of orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to assess the frequency of malocclusion in female elementary students in Qazvin, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study, randomly evaluated 450 female elementary students in Qazvin, Iran. Type of malocclusion, overjet, overbite, anterior and posterior open bite, lingual posterior crossbite, crowding, spacing, midline deviation, facial asymmetry, facial profile, and vertical facial height were evaluated and recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 via descriptive statistics. Results: The results showed that 9.6% of the study population had normal occlusion. The commonest malocclusions were class II division I (41.5%) followed by class I (33.3%), class II division II (12%) and class III (3.6%). Overjet between 0 to 3.5 mm (52%) and overbite ≤1/3 (54.2%) had the highest frequency. The most common facial profile was convex in 55.3%. The highest vertical facial height was normal in 70.4%. The other occlusal traits did not present, in most of the subjects. The occlusal traits distribution of subjects, according to occlusion type were evaluated. Conclusions: Contrary to the results of the most epidemiologic studies in Iranian population that have shown most subjects had normal occlusion or class I malocclusion; in female elementary students in Qazvin, Class II division 1 malocclusion and convex profile were the most prevalent, whereas class III malocclusion and concave profile were the least. It was noticeable in treatment programs.