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An analysis of malocclusion in children with otitis media
S Watase1, A P Mourino, G A Tipton
1School of Dentistry, Medical College of Virginia-Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to examine the occlusion of children younger than 6 years with a diagnosis of otitis media.
Methods:
The study consisted of 112 children diagnosed with otitis media by their pediatrician. Parents were surveyed regarding their child's history of pacifier use, thumb/finger-sucking habit, mouthbreathing habit, method of feeding, day care attendance, snoring, allergies, asthma, upper respiratory infections, otitis media in the family, and the number of people who smoke in the home. The children's occlusions were examined.
Results:
In this study, 52% of the population presented with some type of malocclusion, with anterior open bite (17%) and an overbite measuring greater than 70% (17%) being the most prominent. This study showed that the following factors were common in children with otitis media: bottle feeding, smoking in the home, day care attendance, upper respiratory infection, history of otitis media with a sibling, pacifier habit, snoring, and mouthbreathing habit.
Conclusion:
A logistic regression analysis showed no significant association between malocclusion and factors related to otitis media.
