Relation between incisal overjet and traumatic injury: a case control study

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Sports Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Previous research indicates a correlation between increased overjet and traumatic dental injuries, particularly in anterior teeth.
• Traumatic dental injuries are common in children and adolescents, especially those participating in contact sports.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between incisal overjet and the occurrence of traumatic dental injuries in Singaporean schoolchildren involved in contact sports.
• To determine if overjet is a significant risk factor for dental trauma in this specific population.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted involving 36 Singaporean schoolchildren (aged 7-18) with dental trauma from sports and 36 matched controls without trauma.
• Overjet was measured to the nearest 0.5 mm for all participants, and the nature of injuries was recorded.

Main Results:

• The mean overjet for the trauma group was 3.42 ± 1.45 mm, and for the control group, it was 3.42 ± 1.33 mm.
• No statistically significant difference in mean overjet or overjet distribution was found between the trauma and control groups (p = 1.00).

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that incisal overjet is not a significant correlate of traumatic dental injury in Singaporean schoolchildren engaged in contact sports.
• These results diverge from the majority of studies, highlighting potential population-specific or environmental factors influencing dental trauma risk.