Normal occlusion during mixed dentition: recognition of occlusal traits by dental students

José Augusto Mendes MIGUEL, Ione Portela BRUNHARO, Priscila Tayah Garcia ESPERÃO

The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge degree about normal occlusion development during the mixed dentition phase. The sample was composed of 138 students in their senior year from 10 Dental Schools in the Rio de Janeiro state. After observing photographs and study casts of a Class I patient showing normal occlusion during mixed dentition, students were evaluated through a questionnaire. It was found that was fairly easy for them to diagnose a Class I patient (n=120 or 87.59%), as much as the increased overjet (n=109 or 79.6%) and diastemas (n=112 or 81.7%). Considering the overbite, it was observed that 40 students (28.9%) were able to identify the increase of such occlusal trait, and only a small part of the sample considered these characteristics as normal during the period of mixed dentition. Only 10.1% perceived that there was no orthodontic treatment need, since the occlusion was compatible with the normal development. It was concluded that toward the end of the Dental School Program in Rio de Janeiro, a great amount of students had difficulties to identify normal occlusal traits present during the children’s development, what can cause unnecessary treatment or even avoidable referrals for a specialist.

Keywords: Orthodontics. Mixed dentition. Growth.

Saturday, December 28, 2024 23:45