Dynamics of structure and severity of dentoalveolar anomalies on the background of early orthodontic treatment during occlusion

Background. According to the statistics, the incidence of dentoalveolar anomalies, as well as the frequency of orthodontic visits, is constantly growing. Objective. To analyze the efficiency of orthodontic treatment in children during the period of mixed dentition. Methods. We have performed a study on the incidence and severity of dentoalveolar anomalies of the dental status in 7-9-year-old patients vs. 15-17-year-old adolescents after the completion of occlusion. The adolescents were divided into two groups those who underwent orthodontic treatment during the mixed dentition period and those who did not. The evaluation of the childrens dental status was performed using a specialized WHO Map (2013), supplemented by the Dental Maxillofacial Anomalies section. We determined the following indices: DMF (Decayed-Missing-Filled Index), DMF-df, OHI-S, CPI, PAR, DAI, as well as the Littles irregularity index. The need in the different types of dental and orthodontic treatment was estimated, including that per one examined person in a group. Results. In the group of 7-9-year-old we have revealed a high incidence of premature teeth loss (17.0% of patients), dentoalveolar anomalies (73.9%) and their combinations (60.8%). Discussion. Orthodontic treatment during the period of mixed dentition reduces the incidence of the teeth positioning anomalies (crowding and tooth displacement) and dental arch ratio anomalies (completely eliminating the cross-bite). At the same time, early orthodontic treatment does not have a significant influence on the tooth rotation, interdental spaces, deep, open, distal, mesial occlusions and the displacement of dental arches. The severity of dentoalveolar anomalies is reduced in this case. Conclusion. Orthodontic treatment of children during the period of mixed dentition is indicated in the presence of teeth crowding and displacement, as well as in the presence of a cross-bite; concerning other types of dentoalveolar anomalies, early orthodontic treatment is justified only when the patients psychological and functional indices are reduced.