Dento-Occlusal and Skeletal Anomalies in Nigerian Individuals with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Background: Dento-skeletal and occlusal anomalies have been associated with Down syndrome (DS). The aim of this study was to determine the dental, skeletal and occlusal anomalies in untreated Down Syndrome (DS) and untreated non-Down syndrome individuals aged 13 years and above. Methods: Individuals with untreated DS were selected from special schools in Southwest Nigeria and untreated non-Down Syndrome (controls), were matched for age and sex from public schools. A questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and findings from oral examination carried out in their respective institutions. Descriptive characteristics such as Angle classification, missing or impacted teeth, crossbites, open bites, and other anomalies were recorded Orthodontic treatment need was assessed using the DentalAesthetic Index (DAI). Result: There were 102 individuals in each group with mean age of 21.6.2 years and 22.7.7.6 years in the DS and non-DS groups respectively. Forty nine (48%) DS individuals compared with 90 (88.2%) non-DS individuals had Angle's Class I malocclusion, 1 (1%)of DS individuals had Angle's Class ll Division 1 compared with 7 (6.9%)of non-DS individuals. About 3%of individuals With DS and non-DS presented with Angle's Class l l Division 2 while 48.1% of individuals with DS presented with Angle's Class III compared with only 2% of non-DS individuals. Skeletal pattern IQ was found in 77.5% of DS individuals, while 92.3% of non-DS had skeletal pattern 1. Class 111 incisal relationship was predominant in DS group (55.9%) compared with 2.0% of non-DS. Retained primary teeth were found in 31.4% of DS and in 5.9% of non-DS individuals while 39.2% of DS and 9.8% of non-DS had un-erupted teeth. Fifty two (51%) subjects in the DS group had anterior, posterior, unilateral and bilateral cross-bite compared with 3(2.9%) of the non-DS individuals, Conclusion: It was concluded from these findings that Angle's Class III malocclusion and severe dental and skeletal discrepancies were more predominant in the DS than in the non-DS subjects. It is therefore recommended that orthodontic treatment should be subsidized for individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) and encourages inclusion in orthodontic practice.