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Tooth malalignments in Chilean children with Down syndrome
A Ondarza1, L Jara, M I Bertonati
1Department of Experimental Morphology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago.
Summary
Children with Down syndrome exhibit significantly more tooth alignment issues, particularly in permanent teeth, compared to typically developing peers. These dental anomalies, including malocclusions, are more prevalent in permanent dentition across all groups studied.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Down syndrome is associated with various health complications, including dental anomalies.
- Understanding the specific patterns of tooth malalignment in individuals with Down syndrome is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the frequency and types of tooth alignment anomalies in children with Down syndrome.
- To compare these anomalies with those in mentally impaired individuals without Down syndrome and normal individuals.
Main Methods:
- A comparative analysis of tooth alignment was conducted on three groups: children with Down syndrome, mentally impaired individuals without Down syndrome, and normal individuals.
- Frequencies and types of malalignments were assessed in both deciduous and permanent dentitions.
Main Results:
- Individuals with Down syndrome showed a higher frequency of malalignments in both dentitions compared to control groups.
- Malalignments were more common in permanent teeth than deciduous teeth across all groups.
- Specific malalignments like mesiopalatal, mesiolingual, and mesiovestibular were frequent in the deciduous dentition of the Down syndrome group.
Conclusions:
- Down syndrome is a significant risk factor for increased tooth malalignment, especially in permanent dentition.
- The pattern of malocclusion in Down syndrome differs from that in other mentally impaired individuals and the general population.
- Early dental monitoring and intervention are recommended for individuals with Down syndrome.