Description of occlusion in Saudi Arabian population

ABSTRACT

This study was done on 600 adult males and females Saudi Arabian subjects to provide information about the occlusion status and the incidence of malocclusion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The results of this study demonstrate that only 31.16% of the total sample had normal occlusion. The incidence of Angle class I malocclusion was 36.33% while that of class II malocclusion was 21.83%, that of class III was 9.5% and that of class IV was 1.16%. Angle classes I and II malocclusion were higher in females than males, but angle classes III and IV were higher in males than females. Angle class III type I percentage was higher than class III type III and double that of class III type II. Carefull diagnosis of the occlusion and the dentogacial musculature function is highly recommended during dental examination. The Saudi Arabians are in strong need to the preventive and the interceptive orthodontic treatment measures which should be performed as early as possible to decrease the incidence of malocclusion in their country