ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and different occlusal traits among Egyptian schoolchildren in Beni-Suef.
Materials and methods: Three hundred and ninety-six students aged 9 - 15 years followed the inclusion criteria and participated in the study. The children were examined to assess the molar relationship according to Angle's classification, overjet, overbite, crossbite, crowding, spacing and maxillary midline diastema.
Results: Normal occlusion was found in 22.5% of the sample. Class I malocclusion was observed in 61.4% of the subjects. The prevalence of Class II division 1and Class II division 2 malocclusions were 10.6% and 1% respectively. Class III malocclusion was detected in 4.5% of the examined children. Increased overjet was found in 33.3% of the subjects. Deep bite was the most prevalent abnormality (49.7%), whilst open bite showed the least prevalence (0.8%). Anterior and posterior cross bite represented 10.1% and 7.3% of the sample respectively. Crowding, spacing and maxillary midline diastema were registered in 29%, 19.4%, and 16.7% of the examined children respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females in any of the studied occlusal traits. The prevalence of maxillary midline diastema increased significantly in the mixed dentition.
Conclusion: Class I malocclusion was the predominant category among children in Beni-Suef, while Class II division 2 malocclusion revealed the least frequency. The most prevalent abnormality was deep bite followed by increased overjet and crowding. Open bite malocclusion showed the least prevalence.
KEYWORDS: Prevalence, malocclusion, occlusal traits, Beni-Suef, Egypt.