Malocclusions and oral dysfunctions: A comprehensive epidemiological study on 359 schoolchildren in France

The purpose was to conduct a comprehensive study of malocclusions and oral dysfunctions on 11-year-old children and to study the risk factors associated with malocclusions.

A cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological survey was conducted among 359 children in France. A clinical examination was conducted, and orthodontic and oral functional data were collected. In addition, the need for orthodontic treatment was evaluated using the criteria defined by of the French National Authority for Health (HAS). Finally, a univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to assess the risks associated with malocclusions.

Most children (88%) exhibited a malocclusion, regardless of gender (p = .912). The examination of oral functions identified a large number of swallowing (87%) and respiration (42.7%) disorders. The presence of malocclusion was statistically linked to the low position of the tongue at rest (p < .001), abnormal swallowing (p = .03), and improper mouth breathing (p = .001). After a multivariate analysis, the type of respiration (odds ratio [OR] = 3.2 [1.4-7.3]) and the position of tongue at rest (OR = 3.43 [1.7-7.1]) were the two most prominent factors in the prediction of emerging malocclusion.

This epidemiological survey reveals a high prevalence of dental malocclusions and functional disorders. Oral respiration and the low position of the tongue at rest are the most important factors in the prediction of a malocclusion.