Association between malocclusion and the severity of dental trauma in primary teeth

Background/Aims The literature does not clearly state whether the type of malocclusion is associated with a specific type of trauma and the severity of the injury. Hence, the aim of this retrospective study was to assess the occlusal condition in children with traumatic dental injuries of the primary teeth, and the association between the occlusal characteristics and the type and severity of these injuries. Material and Methods Data were collected from records of children treated at a dental trauma center in Brazil over a period of 16 years. The data included age, gender, etiology of the trauma, place of occurrence, number of affected teeth, type of trauma, and injury severity. The occlusal condition was assessed by a trained dentist using photographs of the patients from their first visit. Chi-square tests and Poisson regression were used for data analyses. Results This study included 209 patients, and most were aged between 2-4 years (50.55%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that children with an anterior open bite had a 47% higher prevalence of severe trauma than those who did not have an anterior open bite, and those with class II canines had a 56% higher prevalence of severe trauma than those with class I and III canines. Children with an anterior open bite had a 46% higher prevalence of injuries affecting multiple teeth than those without an anterior open bite. Conclusions Anterior open bite and class II canine relationship were associated with a higher prevalence of severe traumatic dental injury in primary teeth, and anterior open bite was associated with trauma affecting multiple teeth.