Is prevalence of malocclusion in primary dentition an indication to future malocclusion???

Context: With the increasing awareness of aesthetics among the general population more children seek orthodontic correction of their malocclusion. If malocclusion is identified early, simple preventive & interceptive measure alone can alleviate a developing malocclusion. Aims: To assess the prevalence of malocclusion in primary dentition as an indicator to future malocclusion Settings and Design: Complete clinical examination was performed under day light in the school & relevant statistical analysis was employed to test the proportions in different groups Statistical analysis used: Chi square test was employed to test the proportions in different groups Results: Oral hygiene status in the sample group was found to be 36.5% good, 18% fair and 45.5% had poor. Amongst the class I malocclusion (Flush terminal Plane) 35% had crowding in lower arch & 14.3% had crowding in upper arch, 7.5% had proclination in upper arch & 2.7% in lower arch. Spacing occurred in 78% in upper arch & 59.5% in lower arch. Crowding in upper & lower arches is 14.3 & 35%. Over jet percentage in our total sample is 5.1%. Prevalence of posterior cross bite is 4.2%. Conclusions: Prevalence of malocclusion in primary dentition in urban population in Nagpur within the age group of 3-6years is 81.2% Future Class I, 15.7 % Future Class II and 3.1 % Future Class III.