Malocclusion traits in saudi females seeking orthodontic treatment

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to assess the distribution of malocclusion traits in a selected sample of Saudi adolescent and adult females seeking orthodontic treatment in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. The sample consisted of 330 females divided into two age groups; adolescents [12-17 years] and adults [18-35 years]. Each patient was clinically examined and the type of malocclusion was recorded including Angle's classification, overjet, over bite, open bite, crossbite, scissors bite, crowding and spacing. The collected data were statistically analyzed for percentage distribution of different malocclusion traits for both the age groups. The study revealed that adolescents constituted the larger proportion of subjects seeking orthodontic treatment in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. Angle's Class I malocclusion was the most prevalent type, followed by Class III and Class II malocclusion. Crowding and spacing were the most frequent space discrepancies in all malocclusion traits