Malocclusion in the primary dentition in children with and without deformational plagiocephaly
ObjectivesAsymmetries of the jaw and orthodontic abnormalities are suspected as long term consequences of positional cranial deformity. But only few data exist on this issue. As plagiocephaly is a common problem in infancy, potential functional impairments should be investigated to initiate appropriate measures if necessary. The aim of our study was to compare the orthodontic situation in primary dentition of children with positional plagiocephaly and children without cranial deformities.Material and methodsFifty children treated by helmet therapy for plagiocephaly and 50 non affected children (age 1.98 5.69 years) were examined in a cross sectional study. Orthodontic parameters of all dimensions were assessed and analyzed.ResultsChildren of the plagiocephalic group showed more often orthodontic alterations compared to the others. Especially the frequencies of a class II malocclusion (36 vs. 14 an edge to edge bite (28 vs. 12 and deviations of the midline (38 vs. 16 were conspicuous. However, none of the differences was significant (p 0.003) Of all observed mandibular asymmetries, 69 appeared as a shift to the contralateral side of the former flattened occipital region.ConclusionPositional head deformity might be associated in some cases with a higher prevalence of occlusal abnormalities in primary dentition.Clinical relevancePositional plagiocephaly interfaces medicine and dentistry. As it is a common disorder, this etiology has to be considered in the prevention and therapy of malocclusion.
Clinical Oral Investigations