Different types of malocclusion and oral habits in Sharja and Ajman Emirates

Abstract

Aim: to determine the prevalence of malocclusion among adults attending Dental Centers in Ajman and Sharjah, as well as the association of gender, ethnicity, and prevalent oral habits with the types of malocclusion. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on 300 patients with age range 18-30 years. Intraoral dental and Orthodontic classification was performed alongside a questionnaire. Patients’ occlusions were classified based on Angle’s Classification. Results: Among the sample group, it was found that Class I malocclusion was the most prevalent malocclusion with 74% , Class II division 1 was 12% and Class II division 2 was 11% and the least was Class III with 3% with significant difference between males and females. For different ethnic groups included in the study the same pattern of prevalence applied (Class I followed by Class II, Class III came last) except for Caucasians and Far Eastern, where Class II division 2 surpassed division 1 with a significant difference between all Classes of malocclusion except for Class I. As for oral habits, nail biting was the most prevalent oral habit showing 20.7%, followed by teeth grinding 11%, thumb sucking 10%. Tongue Thrust was the least prevalent habit with a significantly higher prevalence in Class II malocclusion of the studied sample. CONCLUSION: Class I malocclusion was the most prevalent malocclusion, followed by Class II division 1, Class II division 2, and the least was Class III. All ethnic groups showed the same pattern of distribution except for Caucasians, Far Eastern, and South Asian. The pattern of distribution was the same for both males and females; however, a difference in the percentage existed between genders. The most prevalent oral habit was nail biting. All oral habits were not related to different types of malocclusions except for tongue thrust (higher prevalence in Class II Malocclusion). This study is a base for further Arab and Middle Eastern studies.