Document Type : Research Article
Abstract
Dental crowding is defined as a disparity in the relationship between tooth size and jaw size that results in imbrications and rotation of teeth. The causes of mandibular anterior crowding are multifactorial in nature. There are various associated factors that can cause mandibular incisor crowding, mainly mandibular growth, early loss of deciduous molars, incisor and molar inclination along with musculature of oral cavity. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of dental arch crowding among late mixed dentition patients in the subjects visiting a university hospital. About 134 cases were reviewed, which consisted of 60 female patients and 74 male patients. They were divided into two age groups which were, 9-10 years and 11-13 years. For each patient, their dental status and photographs were reviewed and cross verified by two examiners. The severity of mandibular incisor crowding was classified based on the number of teeth involved through observations of photographs of the lower arch. Then, the collected data were recorded in and tabulated. Based upon the severity of mandibular incisor crowding, mild stage (43.37%) of crowding of mandibular incisor was the most prevalent, followed by moderate (28.44%) and severe (28.44%). The results from this study showed male patients (55.2%) had more prevalence towards mandibular incisor crowding in comparison to female patients (44.8%). There was a non statistically significant correlation of severity of crowding with gender (chi square test, p =0.069) and age group (chi square test, p =0.756). The age group of 11-13 years old ( 58.2%) was more affected than the age group of 9-10 years (41.8%). Within the limits of study, mild crowding of mandibular incisors was most prevalent, followed by moderate and severe. The present study also showed male patients had more prevalence towards mandibular incisor crowding in comparison to female patients. The age group of 11- 13 years old was more affected than the age group of 9-10 years.
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