Evaluation of facial morphology and sagittal relationship between dental arches in primary and mixed dentition

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess facial morphology (Pattern) and sagittal relationship between dental arches (Class), and establish a potential association between them and the variables sex, age and ethnicity, among schoolchildren aged between 4 and 9 years old (mean age of 6.7 years) in primary and mixed dentitions.METHODS: The sample comprised 875 children (457 males and 418 females) attending schools in Descalvado, São Paulo, Brazil. An attempt was made with a view to establish a potential association between children's morphological features with sex, age and ethnicity.RESULTS: Descriptive analysis revealed a predominance of facial Pattern I (69.9 %) and Class I (67.4 %). Statistical tests (p < 0.001) showed that Class I was more frequent among Pattern I children, whereas Class II prevailed among Pattern II, and Class III was frequent among Pattern I and III children. Ethnicity was the only variable associated with facial pattern.CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that facial pattern and sagittal relationship between dental arches tend to be correlated. Ethnicity was associated with facial pattern, with Pattern I being the most recurrent among Caucasians and facial Pattern II being recurrent among Afro-descendant subjects.

RESUMO

OBJETIVO: avaliar a morfologia facial (Padrão) e a relação sagital entre as arcadas dentárias (Classe) e determinar a associação entre sexo, idade e etnia, em escolares com 4 a 9 anos de idade (média de 6,7 anos), nas fases de dentadura decídua e mista.MÉTODOS: a amostra constou de 875 crianças (457 do sexo masculino e 418 do sexo feminino) de escolas do município de Descalvado/SP, que tiveram suas características morfológicas relacionadas ao sexo, idade e etnia.RESULTADOS: com base na análise descritiva dos dados, constatou-se que há predominância do Padrão I (69,9%) e da Classe I (67,4%). Nos testes estatísticos (p < 0,001), ficou evidente que a Classe I foi mais frequente no Padrão I; a Classe II, no Padrão II; e a Classe III, igualmente frequente nos Padrões I e III; apenas a raça teve associação com o padrão facial.CONCLUSÃO: o padrão facial e a relação sagital entre as arcadas dentárias tendem a estar relacionados, e a etnia tem associação com o padrão facial, sendo mais recorrente o Padrão I nos leucodermas e o Padrão II nos melanodermas.