Prevalence of malocclusion in adult population treated in dentistry, ULAPS Faustino Fonseca, Chiriquí

Abstract

Introduction: Dental malocclusions are highly prevalent disorders worldwide and refer to the imbalance in the relationship of the dental arches of permanent teeth when they come into contact. Clinically they can present as dental crowding and at a systemic level they can present as chewing and phonetic alterations, therefore the patient's aesthetics and self-esteem can be affected. Malocclusions can cause oral hygiene problems, disintegration of dental tissues and/or irreversible modifications of the surrounding bone structures. The objective of this research is to establish the prevalence of malocclusion in adult patients treated in dentistry of the Faustino Fonseca ULAPS of Chiriquí.

Methods: a quantitative, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study was performed. A questionnaire-type collection instrument with 6 closed questions was used and was completed by the researcher at the time of dental care. The statistical data obtained were recorded and analyzed with the Microsoft Office Excel 2020 program and the results were presented in the form of tables prepared in the Microsoft Office Word 2020 program.

Results: Among the 250 participants of this study, 193 (77.2 %) had Angle Class 1 maloclussion, 51 (20.4 %) had class II and 6 (2.4 %) had class III.

Discussion: It is of high importance to educate healthcare professionals about the problem that dental maloclussions represent so we can include preventive activities in the communities starting at an early age.