Anteroposterior, vertical and space malocclusions in adolescents with special needs in Lagos, Nigeria

To determine the prevalence of malocclusion in adolescents with special needs and to compare the results with those of other authors.

The study sample consisted of 230 adolescents with special needs aged 12-17 years randomly selected from 5 special school/centres in Lagos. Occlusal anteroposterior relationships were assessed based on Angle classification.

Normal occlusion was seen in 11.7%, Angle's class I malocclusion in 77.4%, class II malocclusion in 8.3% and class III malocclusion in 2.6%. Over 63% had normal overbites, and 6.5% and 12.5% had increased and reduced values, respectively. Overjet relationship was normal in 50%, increased in 25.7% and reduced in 6.5%. Crowding was observed in 29% of the subjects and midline diastema in 27%. Males had a significantly higher prevalence of midline diastema than females (p < 0.05). The intellectually impaired had significantly higher frequency of class II division 1 malocclusion and anterior openbite when compared with the other disabled groups.

Class I malocclusion is the most prevalent occlusal pattern among adolescents with special needs. Statistically significant differences in occlusal pattern were observed between the disabled groups.