Distribution of certain types of occlusal anomalies among Saudi Arabian adolescents in Jeddah city.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the distribution of certain types of occlusal anomalies in a sample of Saudi adolescents aged 13-15 years in Jeddah city.

DESIGN

Across-sectional study.

CLINICAL SETTINGS

Clinical examination of Saudi adolescents was carried out in the screening clinics, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdul-Aziz University. Occlusal anomalies were recorded according to Björk and Co-workers (1964).

PARTICIPANTS

1,024 adolescents aged 13-14 years (608 males and 416 females) were randomly selected from ten intermediate schools. Participants were invited to dental school during the "Annual Dental Health Week" as a part of collaborative efforts between King Abdul-Aziz University and Ministry of Education.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Distribution of post-normal occlusion, pre-normal occlusion, bimaxillary protrusion, overjet, overbite, midline deviation and maxillary and mandibular crowding were calculated for the examined subjects.

RESULTS

Only 9% of the examined adolescents had normal occlusion. Post-normal occlusion, pre-normal occlusion and bimaxillary protrusion represented 21%, 15% and 8% of the studied sample respectively. Moderate and severe overjet and overbite accounted for 24% & 5% and 27% & 13%, respectively. Midline deviation was detected in 24% of the students. Mild, moderate and severe maxillary and mandibular crowding represented 9%, 26% & 4% and 11%, 38% & 9%, respectively. All the studied occlusal parameters except bimaxillary protrusion were statistically higher in females.

CONCLUSION

Ninety one percent of the surveyed subjects exhibited some occlusal anomalies. These anomalies were generally higher among adolescent girls.