Search

Background: Anterior open bite is said to exist when there is an actual vertical gap between the upper and lower incisors with the teeth in centric occlusion. This could occur in the anterior or posterior region, and may be attributed to the supra eruption of the posterior teeth or the infra eruption of the anterior teeth and it is common in both adults and children., Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of anterior open bite (AOB) in 2 to 5 -year -old children and the aetiological factors responsible for it., Methods: The study group comprised 1031 children (429 boys and 602 girls) between the ages of 2 to 5-years, who were examined for the presence of AOB and the relationship with various oral habits., Results: AOB was present in 29 (2.8%) of the subjects. Sucking habits were observed in 267 (25.9%) children. Only 29(10.9%) of the children with sucking habits had an AOB which was asymmetric in 20 (7.5%) and symmetric in 9 (3.4%). The asymmetric AOB was significantly higher in children with thumb sucking habits than in finger suckers (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between frequency, duration of sucking habits and AOB. The 4-year olds showed a significant difference in the number of children with AOB (P<0.05). Sucking habits of 1-2 hours and duration of 24 to 60 months exhibited the highest prevalence of an AOB in 13 (44.8%) and 17 (58.6%)children respectively., Conclusion: The prevalence of AOB in this study is 2.8%. Thumb sucking is the most important aetiological factor in the formation of an AOB in 2 to 5-year-old children.

Introduction: The practice of orthodontics is very young in South-South Nigeria and there is need for base line data for informed planning. This study was carried out to investigate the self-perception of malocclusion among Nigerian school children aged 12 to 18 years in order to compare their perception with that of an orthodontist and also to determine the influence of gender and age on self-perception., Materials and Methodology: A total of 612 randomly selected schoolchildren comprising 299 (48.9%) males and 313 (51.1%) females with a mean age of 15 + 2.0 years were included in the study, the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) was the instrument used to measure the perception of malocclusion by both the school children and the orthodontist., Results: Majority of the students (82.5%) rated their teeth towards the more attractive end of the scale (Grades 1-4). Although self - perception was not found to be related to gender, older children (16-18 years) had an increased level of perception of need. Males and older children were found to be more in need of treatment by the orthodontist., Conclusions: A significant difference was found between the orthodontist's rating and the students' ratings of the attractiveness of their occlusions. Age and gender were not found to influence self- perceived orthodontic treatment need. Therefore, for effective orthodontic care, self- perception and not only professional assessment must be taken into consideration when formulating treatment plans to ensure patient satisfaction.

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment involves the direct bonding of brackets to the tooth surface. These bonds should survive until the end of active treatment. The objective of this study was to clinically determine the frequency and bond failure pattern at the orthodontic clinic in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH) within a two-year period., Materials and Methods: A total of 1926 stainless steel Roth .022 brackets (Ultraminitrim Dentaurum, Germany) in 113 patients were bonded using Rely-a-bond No-mix Adhesive (Reliance Orthodontic Products Inc., U.S.A.) over a two-year period. The effects of age, gender, arch location and position of the tooth in the arch on failure rate were evaluated. The mean time to first bond failure was also determined., Results: A failure rate of 24.1% was recorded. The mean age at onset of treatment was 18.08 years. There was female preponderance with a male to female ratio of 1:3. The failure rate in males was 26.2% and in females 23.4%. The failure rates among the different age groups are as follows; 6-11 years 30.7%, 12-17 years 36.2%, 18-25 years 10.2%, 26 and above years 9.1%. The failure rate was significantly higher in the mandibular teeth and teeth in the posterior location of the arch., Conclusion: Out of 1926 bonded brackets there was a failure rate of 24.1% with a higher rate of failure in the younger age group, mandibular teeth and teeth in the posterior location of the arch.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of oral habits and assess the effects of these habits on the occlusion in a group of Nigerian schoolchildren., Method: A cross-sectional study of 928 children aged 4-15 years from Eti -Osa local government area in Lagos, Nigeria. The sample population was selected from 2 private and 3 public schools., Results: Three hundred and sixteen children (34.1%) of total children examined, exhibited one form of oral habit or another. The most common habit observed was digit sucking which was observed in 17% of the children. Increased overjet was observed in 33% of the habit children. This was significantly higher than findings in children without the habit who recorded an increased overjet of 25.3%. Anterior open bite was observed in 12.5% of habit children and 3.1% of non-habit children. Statistically significant differences in the occurrence of upper incisor proclination, lower incisor retroclination and lip incompetence were also observed occurring more frequently in the oral habit group. Posterior crossbite was observed in 1.9% of the habit group and 1.5% of the non-habit group. This difference was not statistically significant., Conclusion: This study shows an increased prevalence of oral habits when compared to previous studies in this region. Increased overjet and anterior open bite were the most commonly occurring occlusal anomalies associated with oral habits. There is a need to reduce the occurrence of permanent occlusal deformation due to the persistent form of these habits through dental health education among Nigerian children.

A study was carried out to determine the mesio-distal crown dimensions of permanent teeth, and to find out if there were any symmetry of the tooth sizes in a population of Nigerian children. The sample consisted of 250 secondary school children (125 males and 125 females) randomly selected from 3 secondary schools within Ibadan metropolis. Their age ranged from 12-15 years the mean age was 12 +/- 0.5 years. The results showed that there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the right and left sides of the dental arch with the exception of the maxillary second premolars and the female mandibular canines.

This study was done to ascertain the prevalence and aetiology of extrinsic stains among 11-16 year-old school children in Surulere, which is one of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos, Nigeria. 600 school children were randomly selected from 6 schools, 3 primary and 3 secondary, in the LGA. About 100 children were examined from each age category of 11 to 16 years for extrinsic stains, and information on their dietary and oral habits was obtained. A 64.0% prevalence of extrinsic stains was found among the study population (boys =64.5%, girls = 63.4%). The colour of the extrinsic stains ranged from yellow, brown, green, orange, black to red and were mainly due to poor oral hygiene. The extrinsic stains were derived mainly from food consumption and the action of chromogenic bacteria. The high level of extrinsic stains seen in this study is also a reflection of the low utilisation of dental services and subsequently of professional oral prophylaxis among the subjects as 91.5% had never visited a dentist and 94.8% had never had a professional oral prophylaxis. The prevalence of stains seen in the study population is higher than would be expected in adolescents who should be rather self-conscious at that age, the older adolescents even having a significantly higher prevalence of stains than younger adolescents (p < 0.05). No statistical difference in extrinsic stains prevalence was found among the sexes (p = 0.7) or among social classes (p> 0.05). The establishment of a school oral health care programme in the Local Government Area is advocated, as this may be the only source of oral care for these children. Dental health education and promotion services should be the main thrust of such services, which may be in form of fixed or mobile dental clinics.

600 children aged 12 to 16 years were examined in the Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria to determine the prevalence and types of intrinsic tooth discoloration. 306 boys and 294 girls were selected from six schools (3 primary and 3 secondary schools) by stratified random sampling. The teeth of the children were examined in a wet state for intrinsic stains, however, no attempt was made at aetiologic diagnosis of enamel hypoplasia and enamel opacities, diagnosis were based on clinical presentations. A 37.7% (226) prevalence of intrinsic tooth discolouration was recorded among the subjects. 36.0% (110) of the boys and 39.5% (116) of the girls had intrinsic tooth discolourations. The differences in prevalence of intrinsic tooth discolouration among the sexes and among the social classes were not statistically significant (p = 0.375 and p = 0.272). There was, however, a statistical difference in prevalence of intrinsic tooth discolouration among the age categories (p = 0.0013), with the older adolescents showing a higher prevalence of stains. This is linked to the greater possibility of presenting with acquired intrinsic tooth discolouration as one gets older. The commonest types of intrinsic tooth discoloration were enamel opacities (23.0%), tetracycline staining (9.2%) and enamel hypoplasia (7.3%). Other intrinsic tooth discolourations were those due to dental caries (4.3%), pulp necrosis/ haemorrhage (0.8%), toothwear (0.3%), and discoloured restorations (0.3%). A very low level of utilisation of dental services was noted, with 91.5% (549) of the subjects reporting that they had never visited a dentist. The common intrinsic tooth discolorations seen in the study are those usually associated with childhood malnutrition, preventable childhood diseases and the irrational use of drugs (tetracyclines). There is a need to intensify child immunization efforts in the community as well as health education and promotion activities geared toward proper nutrition and the rational use of drugs. The establishment of school meals in primary and secondary schools in the LGA will go a long way in improving nutrition and prevent the tooth discolouration types associated with poor nutrition. Dental services may be made more available, accessible and affordable for the children by the establishment of a school oral healthcare programme.

Two hundred and fifty school children in Ibadan metropolis, comprising of 125 male and 125 females were chosen by modified random sampling to study their tooth sizes (mesiodistal width) and to establish if there is any appreciable sex-difference in their permanent tooth sizes. The teeth measured were selected based on certain criteria. The mesio-distal width of a tooth was recorded as the maximum distance between the tooth sides (proximal) of a tooth on a line parallel to the occlusal and buccal surfaces. The result showed that the male teeth were consistently larger than the female teeth. The summed total maxillary and mandibular arch width of the males were 3.31 mm and 1.37 mm greater than those of the females respectively. The differences in tooth size between males and females have been established.

This study was undertaken to establish normative values for mesio-distal crown dimensions of permanent teeth in some Nigerians. The mesio-distal crown dimensions of permanent teeth of two hundred and fifty secondary school students in Ibadan metropolis were measured. The sample size consisted of 125 males and 125 females selected by modified random sampling technique. Their ages ranged between 12 and 15 years. The mean value for each tooth size was recorded and can be regarded as normal values for the study population. The largest tooth in the mouth was the 1st mandibular molar in males while the smallest tooth was the lower central incisors in females. These normal values could be used as standard reference table for tooth sizes which will be of great importance to the orthodontist for the space analysis, to the prosthodontist for correct choice of teeth and to other disciplines like anatomy and anthropology.

A study of two hundred and fifty secondary school children (125 males and 125 females) in Ibadan metropolis was done, to determine mean tooth sizes for the population. The data obtained in Nigerians were then compared with a similar data obtained in American Negros by Richardson and Malhotra (1975). This was done on computer using the Student T-test and taking a probability value greater than 1% (P>0.01) as not significant. The results showed that there was no significant difference in tooth sizes of Nigerians and American Negroes. This could be genetically linked, signifying that Black Americans may have originated from Africa.

Cephalometric values have been established for twenty adult Nigerians, three adults with unrepaired unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (UCLA) and two adults with unrepaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Normal values for SNA and SNB were 85.5 degrees +/- 3.5 and 82.7 degrees +/- 3.2 respectively, and the mean ANB values were 3.1 degrees +/- 0.8. The cephalometric data for unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (UCLA) subjects whose clefts were not repaired until adulthood did not differ significantly from normal controls. However, in two adults with unrepaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), the SNA values were less than normal controls and the ANB values were reduced to negative levels. Bimaxillary protrusion of the incisors appears to be a normal feature in Nigerians. There appears to be inhibition of maxillary growth in UCLP patients but not in UCLA cases.

617 schoolchildren 10-19 years of age were examined in order to assess the prevalence of malocclusion in a population sample in Lagos. Class I occlusion accounted for 76.8%, followed closely by Class II malocclusion, 14.7%, and Class III malocclusion, 8.4%. Crowding was recorded in 15.1% of the cases, most of which occurred anteriorly. The present study shows some interesting differences in the prevalences of malocclusions compared to studies on Caucasian subjects.