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Malocclusion traits and orthodontic treatment needs in prematurely born children

Liselotte Paulsson1, Björn Söderfeldt, Lars Bondemark

  • 1Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden. liselotte.paulsson@od.mah.se

The Angle Orthodontist
|February 27, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Prematurely born children, including very preterm (VPT) and extremely preterm (EPT) infants, exhibit a higher prevalence of malocclusion traits and increased orthodontic treatment needs compared to full-term infants. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring dental development in this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Orthodontics
  • Neonatal Health

Background:

  • Premature birth is associated with various developmental challenges.
  • Understanding the long-term dental implications of prematurity is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of malocclusion traits in prematurely born children.
  • To assess orthodontic treatment needs in preterm versus full-term born children.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of 73 preterm children (VPT and EPT) with 41 matched full-term controls.
  • Assessment of malocclusion traits using clinical examinations, study casts, and panoramic radiographs.
  • Evaluation of orthodontic treatment need via the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN).

Main Results:

  • Preterm children (EPT and VPT) showed a significantly higher occurrence of two or more malocclusion traits (83.3% and 73.0%) compared to full-term controls (51.2%).
  • Deep bites were more prevalent in EPT and VPT groups, representing the most common malocclusion.
  • Preterm children exhibited a greater need for orthodontic treatment, with no significant differences between VPT and EPT subgroups.

Conclusions:

  • Clinicians should anticipate a higher incidence of malocclusion and increased orthodontic treatment requirements in prematurely born individuals.
  • Early dental monitoring and orthodontic assessment are recommended for preterm infants to address potential developmental issues.
Abstract

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