Prevalence and correlates of lateral functional mandibular shift in north Indian children: A cross-sectional study

Lateral mandibular functional shifts (LFMSH) have been found to be associated with facial asymmetry (FA), posterior crossbite, midline shift, and dissimilar molar occlusion, including uneven biting or unilateral chewing.

The aim is to evaluate the prevalence of LFMSH and its known associated factors, i.e., FA, midline deviation (MD), unilateral posterior crossbite (UPXB), posterior occlusion (PO), preferred chewing side (PCHWS), premature contacts (PC), and correlation of each factor with LFMSH among children with deciduous and early mixed dentition in a North-Indian city.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among the schoolchildren of North-Indian city.

This study assessed 400 school children. Extra- and intra-oral static examination was done in the maximum intercuspation position (MIP). CR was attained, and functional mandibular shift (FMSH) in any direction, with special emphasis on LFMSH, was confirmed when mandible got shifted from PC to MIP. Causative factors for PC were further assessed.

The correlation between LFMSH and associated variables was tested by the Chi-square test.

The prevalence of LFMSH, FA, MD, UPXB, PCHWS, and PC were 11.8%, 10.3%, 13.2%, 13.8%, 32.8%, and 15.0%, respectively. Significant correlation (P < 0.001) was found between LFMSH and FA (74.5%), MD (100%), UPXB (100%), dissimilar PO (93.7%), PCHWS (100%), and correction of CR postphonetics (100%). PCs were found in deciduous canine and maxillary incisor regions. Crossbites in the permanent first molar and primary second molar were coexisting.

Significant correlation of LFMSH with associated factors emphasizes early detection, understanding of the predisposing factors for their prevention and/or early interception. Long phonetics was clinically successful in observing FMSH in the field.