DYNAMICS OF THE STRUCTURE OF MALOCCLUSUION IN SCHOOLCHILDREN

Abstract

Introduction. Malocclusion are among the main dental diseases and, according to many researchers, rank third place in prevalence after dental caries and periodontal tissue pathology. Modern scientific research shows that malocclusion are diagnosed in the majority of the Ukrainian pediatric population, with a prevalence rate of 57,5– 87,3%. The monitoring of dental morbidity among children in Ukraine in different regions shows a significant increase in the prevalence of malocclusion in recent years. It is important to take into account that malocclusion and dysfunctions of the dentoalveolar system not only affect the child’s health, but also have a significant impact on the personality and social status of the younger generation. This emphasises the importance of timely diagnosis and prevention of these pathologies, and the need to use modern and effective treatment methods. Thus, the problem of providing orthodontic care to children and adolescents is relevant today and has important medical and social significance. The aim of the study. To assess the dynamics of the prevalence and structure of dentoalveolar anomalies in children aged 6–16 years to optimise the organisation and provision of orthodontic care. Research materials and methods. A total of 1167 children aged 6–16 years in Lviv were examined to study the prevalence and structure of malocclusion. All children were divided into three age groups depending on the period of occlusion formation. The classification of D.A. Kalvelis was used to verify the diagnosis. Determination of a significant difference in the parameters compared was performed using Student’s t-test. Results. Tendencies to increase in the prevalence of malocclusion in the age aspect have been identified, which may be due to various factors, in particular, in the period from 6 to 8 years – untimely detection of risk factors and lack of measures to eliminate them. Conclusions. 1. On average, 63,67 ± 1,41% of the examined children were diagnosed with malocclusion, which indicates a low level of treatment and preventive and public health education work. With age, the prevalence of orthodontic pathology increases from 57,11 ± 2,43% in 6–9 years old children to 66,23 ± 2,71% in 10–12 years old, and in permanent dentition in 13–16 years olds its value increases to 68,01 ± 2,21%. 2. Among all malocclusion, anomalies of dental arches are the most common – 64,87 ± 1,75%, malocclusion of occlusion are diagnosed in 51,28 ± 1,83% of cases, and individual tooth anomalies are found in only 8,61 ± 1,03% of the examined. 3.A decrease in the number of children with malocclusion from 6 to 16 years from 76,74 ± 6,44 to 34,15 ± 5,24% indicates the presence of pronounced self-regulation processes and, possibly, timely and qualified orthodontic treatment in the past.