Prevalence of defined symptoms of malocclusion among probands enrolled in the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) in the age group from 20 to 49 years.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

SHIP is a complexly structured, population-based cross-sectional study of adults in the German region of Pomerania (age group covered: 20-79 years). Findings in a population subgroup (age group 20-49 years; n = 1777; 53.1% women; 46.9% men) were subjected to orthodontic evaluation. Graduated registration of anterior crowding, overjet, frontal overbite and sagittal intermaxillary relationship of the posterior teeth; registration of ectopic canines, posterior crowding, anterior and posterior crossbite, negative overjet, retroclination of the upper incisors, buccal nonocclusion, and lateral open bite. The prevalence of almost regular dentition and of symptoms of malocclusion as well as the frequency of orthodontic treatment (subjective patient data) undergone by men and women were recorded. The correlation between the registered symptoms of malocclusion was calculated.

RESULTS

92.2% of the subjects had symptoms of malocclusion varying in number and severity. An anatomically correct dentition was found in only 7.8% of cases, and an "almost regular dentition" (inclusion criteria defined) in 14.2%. 32.8% of the subjects had severe malocclusion (inclusion criteria defined). The most frequent symptoms were anterior crowding, increased overjet, and distoclusion. These symptoms were significantly more frequent in women, while spacing and edge-to-edge bite, excessive overbite and mesioclusion were more frequent in men. 26.7% of the probands (28.0% women, 25.3% men) reported having received orthodontic treatment. The prevalence of craniofacial malformations (cleft lip and palate, syndromes) was 0.09% in women and 0.2% in men. Increased overjet was most frequently correlated with other symptoms of malocclusion.