Pattern of Malocclusion in Iraqi Patients Seeking Orthodontic Treatment

Background: Malocclusion problems and orthodontic treatment demand is increasing
over recent years. In most of the patients, malocclusion carry significant
psychological stigma to them and may cause many serious dental esthetic and
functional problems. Thus, it is mandatory to assess the epidemiological figures
on the pattern of malocclusion to plan and determine the resources needed for
planning the appropriate orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to assess the
pattern and distribution of malocclusion based on Angle’s classification system
among Iraqi orthodontic patients.
Materials and methods: This study included 474 patients (230 males, 244 females)
between the age 13 to 20 years attending the undergraduate Department of
Orthodontics at Al-Rafidain University College. Occlusal variables examined
were molar relationship, crowding, spacing, buccally displaced canines, deep bite,
open bite, anterior crossbite, and posterior crossbite. A descriptive statistics was
used to analyze the data and the relationship was studied utilizing “Chi square test
(p<0.05) and Fisher’s exact probability test”.
Results: The frequency of “Angle class I, II and III malocclusion” of first molars was
89.66%, 8.22%, and 2.1% respectively. However, no significant differences were
found between the sexes in the prevalence of different types of malocclusion
except for Class III malocclusion. The percentages of other occlusal traits were
crowding 72.23%, spacing 9.88%, deep bite 0.6%, open bite 0.6%, buccally
displaced canines 6.82%, anterior crossbite 4%, and posterior crossbite was
reported in 3.06%.
Conclusion: The Angle’s Class I malocclusion with crowding was the most prevalent,
followed by Class II malocclusion while the least predominant was Class III
malocclusion.
Keywords: Prevalence, Angle’s classification, pattern of malocclusion.