Occlusal features of sickle cell anaemia patients in Lagos, Nigeria

One hundred and four sickle cell anaemia patients aged 10-45 years and attending the out patients' clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital as part of a routine check-up were seen. They were in a steady state of health. By means of a structured questionnaire the Biodata of each consecutive eligible patient was obtained and physical examination was carried out. Oral examination was done with emphasis on occlusal variables including Angle's Classification of occlusion, overjet, overbite, tooth: bone ratio, lip competence and skeletal pattern. Results showed that the majority of the patients 92 (88.5%) seen presented with Angle's Class 1 malocclusion. Increased overjet was observed in 50 (48.2%) of the sample population while an overbite depth of 2 was most frequently seen in these patients. Spacing in the anterior segment of the upper and lower arches was a fairly common occurrence, occurring in 51 (49.0%) and 39 (30.8%) of the patients seen respectively. Normal dental base relationship (Skeletal 1) was observed in 72 (69.2%) while lip incompetence was seen in 41 (39.4%) of the patients examined. Occlusal anomalies vary from mild to severe and may be attributable to hyperplastic maxillary bone and the resultant skeletal discrepancy.