Archives

Background:
Malocclusion can cause dental caries, periodontal diseases, esthetic and functional problems. This
may also lead to temporomandibular disorder. The demand of orthodontic treatment is increasing.
Therefore, it is essential to assess the epidemiological data on the pattern of malocclusion so that it
can aid in determining the resources for plan ning the appropriate treatment. This also provides the
baseline data for planning further orthodontic treatment.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of individual traits of malocclusion based on Angle’s classification
of molar relationship and to provide quantitative information regarding the pattern of dentofacial
characteristics in orthodontic patients attending dental hospital in Nepal Medical College, along with
the gender differences if any.
Materials and Method:
A cross-sectional study was done among 131 patients (78 females, 53 males). Angle’s classification
was used to assess the molar relationship. Chief complaints, crowding, spacing, overjet, overbite,
crossbite, scissorbite, openbite, dental anomalies and supernumerary tooth were recorded. All data
were collected from the records and dental casts of orthodontic patients. Association was analyzed
using Chi square test (p<0.05).
Results:
This study demonstrated that Angle’s Class I malocclusion was seen to be most prevalent (59.5%).
Class II malocclusion was seen in 26.7% of the patients and class III was seen in 13.7%. Upper and
lower arch spacing was seen to be more prevalent in Class I malocclusion. However, this was not
statistically significant.
Conclusion:
There are certain drawbacks of Angle’s classification of malocclusion as this classification only reveals
the malocclusion in antero-posterior planes not transverse and vertical planes. Further researches
involving skeletal analysis are recommended.

Angle’s classification, malocclusion, prevalence