Prevalence of Anterior Tooth Trauma in an Orthodontic Population

Abstract

Abstract Background: There is a possibility that an increased ovedet and lip incompetence among the orthodontic population may contribute to tooth trauma, which might make them require early interceptive orthodontics as a trauma preventive measure. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of tratuna to permanent anterior teeth and assess possible predisposing factors in a Nigerian orthodontic population. Methodology: This was a prospective, cross sectional descriptive study of patients aged 7-39 years who presented at the Orthodontic Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital !di-Araba, Lagos Nigeria over a 5 year period. A self administered questionnaire was used to provide information which included the patients' biodata, age at time of trauma, type of trauma, teeth involved in trauma, type of maim elusion and lip pattern. Resulls: A trauma prevalence .13.1% was observed, with the maxilla, central incisor being the tooth most frequently affected and accounting for 73% of all traumatised teeth. Males were significantly more affected than females, and Angle's Cl ass 1 malocclusion was the most frequently observed molar relationship in affected patients (69.4%).Approximately 72% of all subjects who suffered trauma had lip incompetence, while 77.1% presented with an increased overjet. The majority of injuries seen were noted to have occurred before the age of 10 years (63.9%). Conclusion: Increased overjet and lip incompetence were observed to be predisposing factors to anterior tooth trauma. Therefore, interceptive orthodontics may be ofbenefit to these patients so predisposed to reduce its occurrence.