Influence of the socioeconomic status on the prevalence of malocclusion in the primary dentition.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of socioeconomic background on malocclusion prevalence in primary dentition in a population from the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 652 children (males and females) aged between 3 to 6 years old. Subjects were enrolled in private preschools (higher socioeconomic status - HSS, n = 312) or public preschools (lower socioeconomic status - LSS, n = 340) in Belém, Pará, Brazil. Chi-square and binomial statistics were used to assess differences between both socioeconomic groups, with significance level set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A high prevalence of malocclusion (81.44%) was found in the sample. LSS females exhibited significantly lower prevalence (72.1%) in comparison to HSS females (84.7%), particularly with regard to Class II (P < 0.0001), posterior crossbite (P = 0.006), increased overbite (P = 0.005) and overjet (P < 0.0001). Overall, malocclusion prevalence was similar between HSS and LSS male children (P = 0.36). Early loss of primary teeth was significantly more prevalent in the LSS group (20.9%) in comparison to children in the HSS group (0.9%), for both males and females (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic background influences the occurrence of malocclusion in the primary dentition. In the largest metropolitan area of the Amazon, one in every five LSS children has lost at least one primary tooth before the age of seven.

Influence of the socioeconomic status on the prevalence of malocclusion in the primary dentition

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of socioeconomic background on malocclusion prevalence in primary dentition in a population from the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 652 children (males and females) aged between 3 to 6 years old. Subjects were enrolled in private preschools (higher socioeconomic status - HSS, n = 312) or public preschools (lower socioeconomic status - LSS, n = 340) in Belém, Pará, Brazil. Chi-square and binomial statistics were used to assess differences between both socioeconomic groups, with significance level set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A high prevalence of malocclusion (81.44%) was found in the sample. LSS females exhibited significantly lower prevalence (72.1%) in comparison to HSS females (84.7%), particularly with regard to Class II (P < 0.0001), posterior crossbite (P = 0.006), increased overbite (P = 0.005) and overjet (P < 0.0001). Overall, malocclusion prevalence was similar between HSS and LSS male children (P = 0.36). Early loss of primary teeth was significantly more prevalent in the LSS group (20.9%) in comparison to children in the HSS group (0.9%), for both males and females (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic background influences the occurrence of malocclusion in the primary dentition. In the largest metropolitan area of the Amazon, one in every five LSS children has lost at least one primary tooth before the age of seven. .

OBJETIVO: avaliar a influência da condição socioeconômica na prevalência de má oclusão na dentição decídua em uma população amazônica. MÉTODOS: esse estudo transversal compreendeu 652 crianças, de ambos os sexos, entre 3 e 6 anos de idade. Os indivíduos estavam matriculados na pré-escola na rede privada de ensino (alto nível socioeconômico; n = 312) ou, rede pública (baixo nível socioeconômico; n = 340), em Belém, no Pará. O teste chi-quadrado e estatística binominal foram usados para avaliar as diferenças entre os grupos socioeconômicos, com nível de significância considerado em p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: foi observada uma alta prevalência de má oclusão (81,44%) na amostra examinada. As meninas das escolas públicas exibiram uma prevalência significativamente menor (72,1%) em comparação às das escolas privadas (84,7%), principalmente com relação à prevalência da má oclusão de Classe II (p < 0,0001), mordida cruzada posterior (p = 0,006), sobremordida (p = 0,005) e sobressaliência (p < 0,0001). De maneira geral, a prevalência de má oclusão foi similar entre as crianças do sexo masculino dos dois grupos (p = 0,36). A perda precoce de dente decíduo foi significativamente mais prevalente no grupo com menor nível socioeconômico (20,9%) quando comparada à de crianças nas escolas privadas (0.9%), em ambos os sexos (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: a condição socioeconômica influencia a ocorrência de má oclusão na dentição decídua. Na maior metrópole da Amazônia, uma em cada cinco crianças do grupo com baixo nível socioeconômico perdeu, no mínimo, um dente decíduo antes dos sete anos. .

Patients' report of discomfort and pain during debonding of orthodontic brackets: a comparative study of two methods.

AIM: To examine the level of discomfort and pain reported by patients during debonding of orthodontic metallic brackets by comparing two of the most popular methods, since discomfort can negatively influence patients' motivation to undergo orthodontic treatment. METHODS: This split-mouth designed study involved 37 patients. Two methods were used for bracket removal: a lift-off debonding instrument and a ligature-cutting plier. The level of discomfort during debonding was evaluated on a scale of 0 to 4; The Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) was taken into consideration, as well. Comparison between the methods was statistically analyzed by using the Wilcoxon signed rank and chi-squared tests (P<.05). RESULTS: Regarding the remnant adhesive, no significant difference was observed between the methods. Patients' reports of pain (score ≥2) were observed in 24.3% of teeth when the brackets were removed using a ligature-cutting plier, while there was a 12.8% report of pain when the lift-off instrument was employed (odds ratio [OR]=2.17, P<.001, χ(2)=17.7). Statistically significant lower scores for maxillary (P=.02) and mandibular central incisors (P=.02), maxillary lateral incisors (P=.02), mandibular canines (P=.00), and mandibular premolars (P=.00/.02) were reported when the lift-off instrument was employed. CONCLUSION: For the removal of orthodontic brackets, the lift-off instrument is better accepted by patients compared to the ligature cutting pliers, given that reports of pain are about two times lower with the former. The ARI was the same for both methods.