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Predictors associated with malocclusion in children with and without sleep disorders: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate predictors of malocclusion in Brazilian schoolchildren eight to ten years of age based on a causal directed acyclic graph model. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 739 schoolchildren eight to ten years of age. Parents/guardians provided information on sleep disorders of the child (Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children) and family characteristics (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale). The diagnosis of malocclusion was performed by four trained examiners using the Dental Aesthetic Index. Control variables were selected using a directed acyclic graph. Descriptive analysis was performed, followed by robust logistic regression analysis for complex samples (α = 5%). The following variables were associated with malocclusion in the final model: sleep disorders (OR = 2.61; 95%CI: 2.43–2.86), mouth breathing (OR = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.02–1.99), non-nutritive sucking habits (OR = 2.45; 95%CI: 2.37–4.85), and obesity (OR = 1.54; 95%CI: 1.02–2.33). Sociodemographic characteristics, family functioning, and premature tooth loss did not remain associated with malocclusion. Sleep disorders, mouth breathing, sucking habits, and obesity are predictors of malocclusion in schoolchildren eight to ten years of age.

Malocclusion; Sleep Wake Disorders; Obesity; Family Relations

Introduction

Malocclusion is caused by the incorrect positioning of the jaws and/or teeth11.Cadenas de Llano-Pérula M, Ricse E, Fieuws S, Willems G, Orellana-Valvekens MF. Malocclusion, dental caries and oral health-related quality of life: a comparison between adolescent school children in urban and rural regions in Peru. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Mar;17(6):2038. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17062038
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17062038...
and is considered a public health problem due to its high prevalence throughout the world.22.Lombardo G, Vena F, Negri P, Pagano S, Barilotti C, Paglia L, et al. Worldwide prevalence of malocclusion in the different stages of dentition: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2020 Jun;21(2):115-22. https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2020.21.02.05
https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2020.21.02...
The prevalence in children ranges from 16.5% to 82.1%,33.Vedovello SA, Ambrosano GM, Pereira AC, Valdrighi HC, Filho MV, Meneghim MC. Association between malocclusion and the contextual factors of quality of life and socioeconomic status. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2016 Jul;150(1):58-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.12.022
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, 44.Martins MT, Sardenberg F, Bendo CB, Vale MP, Paiva SM, Pordeus IA. Dental caries are more likely to impact on children’s quality of life than malocclusion or traumatic dental injuries. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2018 Sep;19(3):194-8. https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2018.19.03.5
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depending on the diagnostic method and characteristics of the study population.

Etiological factors of malocclusion include hereditary and environmental aspects, such as non-nutritive sucking habits, mouth breathing, respiratory disorders55.Festa P, Mansi N, Varricchio AM, Savoia F, Calì C, Marraudino C, et al. Association between upper airway obstruction and malocclusion in mouth-breathing children. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2021 Oct;41(5):436-42. https://doi.org/10.14639/0392-100X-N1225
https://doi.org/10.14639/0392-100X-N1225...
and tooth loss.66.Mutlu E, Parlak B, Kuru S, Oztas E, Pınar-Erdem A, Sepet E. Evaluation of crossbites in relation with dental arch widths, occlusion type, nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits and respiratory factors in the early mixed dentition. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2019;17(5):447-55. https://doi.org/10.3290/j.ohpd.a42738
https://doi.org/10.3290/j.ohpd.a42738...

7.Paolantonio EG, Ludovici N, Saccomanno S, La Torre G, Grippaudo C. Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion in Italian preschoolers. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2019 Sep;20(3):204-8. https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2019.20.03.07
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- 88.Nadelman P, Bedran N, Magno MB, Masterson D, Castro AC, Maia LC. Premature loss of primary anterior teeth and its consequences to primary dental arch and speech pattern: A systematic review and meta-analysis [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 3]. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2020 Nov;30(6):687-712. https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12644
https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12644...
Malocclusion can cause functional and esthetic problems as well as psychosocial effects on self-esteem and social interacitons.33.Vedovello SA, Ambrosano GM, Pereira AC, Valdrighi HC, Filho MV, Meneghim MC. Association between malocclusion and the contextual factors of quality of life and socioeconomic status. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2016 Jul;150(1):58-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.12.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.12....
, 99.Dimberg L, Arnrup K, Bondemark L. The impact of malocclusion on the quality of life among children and adolescents: a systematic review of quantitative studies. Eur J Orthod. 2015 Jun;37(3):238-47. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejo/cju046
https://doi.org/10.1093/ejo/cju046...
Besides being a risk factor for low quality of life in children,1010.Tondolo Junior J, Knorst JK, Menegazzo GR, Emmanuelli B, Ardenghi TM. Influence of malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life in children: a seven-year cohort study. Dental Press J Orthod. 2021 Apr;26(2):e2119244. https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.26.2.e2119244.oar
https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.26.2.e...
malocclusion can also have a negative effect on the quality of life of families, with an impact on emotional aspects and family conflicts.1111.Abreu LG, Melgaço CA, Abreu MH, Lages EM, Paiva SM. Effect of malocclusion among adolescents on family quality of life. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2015 Aug;16(4):357-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-014-0172-6
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, 1212.Vinayagamoorthy K, Pentapati KC, Urala A, Acharya S. Validation of an Indian (Kannada) translation of the Family Impact Scale questionnaire and the impact of malocclusion on the families of adolescent school children. Int Dent J. 2020 Aug;70(4):259-65. https://doi.org/10.1111/idj.12564
https://doi.org/10.1111/idj.12564...
It is therefore important to investigate possible associations between biopsychosocial factors and malocclusion.

Biological factors, such as obesity and sleep disorders, have been associated with obstructive sleep apnea, adenoid hypertrophy, and atypical breathing in children.33.Vedovello SA, Ambrosano GM, Pereira AC, Valdrighi HC, Filho MV, Meneghim MC. Association between malocclusion and the contextual factors of quality of life and socioeconomic status. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2016 Jul;150(1):58-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.12.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.12....
, 1414.Evangelisti M, Shafiek H, Rabasco J, Forlani M, Montesano M, Barreto M, et al. Oximetry in obese children with sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep Med. 2016;27-28:86-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2016.08.014
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2016.08....
Due to the impact on the stomatognathic system, these aspects can contribute to the development of malocclusion.1313.Aroucha Lyra MC, Aguiar D, Paiva M, Arnaud M, Filho AA, Rosenblatt A, et al. Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing and associations with malocclusion in children. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020 Jul;16(7):1007-12. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.8370
https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.8370...
, 1414.Evangelisti M, Shafiek H, Rabasco J, Forlani M, Montesano M, Barreto M, et al. Oximetry in obese children with sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep Med. 2016;27-28:86-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2016.08.014
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2016.08....
Sleep disorders in children may be associated with class II malocclusion with mandibular retrognathia.1515.Balraj K, Shetty V, Hegde A. Association of sleep disturbances and craniofacial characteristics in children with class ii malocclusion: an evaluative study. Indian J Dent Res. 2021;32(3):280-7. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_226_19
https://doi.org/10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_226_19...
However, a systematic review study concluded that it was not possible to confirm the association between sleep disorders and malocclusion in children due to the low quality of the evidence available in the literature,1616.Hansen C, Markström A, Sonnesen L. Sleep-disordered breathing and malocclusion in children and adolescents-a systematic review. J Oral Rehabil. 2022 Mar;49(3):353-61. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13282
https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13282...
underscoring the need for further studies that explore these aspects in childhood.

Regarding psychosocial factors, family relations have recently been the focus of scientific investigations due to the influence on the oral health of children and adolescents.1717.Neves ET, Dutra LD, Gomes MC, Paiva SM, Abreu MH, Ferreira FM, et al. The impact of oral health literacy and family cohesion on dental caries in early adolescence. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2020 Jun;48(3):232-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12520
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12520...
, 1818.Oyedele TA, Kikelomo K, Folayan M, Agbaje H, Oziegbe E, Onyejaka N, et al. Family structure and oral habits among children age 1 to 12 years resident in ile-ife, Nigeria. Braz J Oral Sci. 2017;15(4):287-92. https://doi.org/10.20396/bjos.v15i4.8650041
https://doi.org/10.20396/bjos.v15i4.8650...
Moreover, family conflicts, school pressure, anxiety, and stress are involved in the etiology of harmful oral habits in children.1919.Bayardo RE, Mejia JJ, Orozco S, Montoya K. Etiology of oral habits. ASDC J Dent Child. 1996;63(5):350-3. , 2020.Silva LC, Vedovello SA, Vedovello Filho M, Meneghin MC, Ambrosano Bovi GM, Degan VV. Anxiety and oral habits as factors associated with malocclusion. Cranio. 2021 May;39(3):249-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/08869634.2019.1633492
https://doi.org/10.1080/08869634.2019.16...
Thus, an extreme family context may contribute to the acquisition of harmful oral habits and, consequently, malocclusion. As no previous studies have explored the influence of family functioning on the occurrence of malocclusion, the conceptual hypothesis of this investigation is that family functioning is associated with malocclusion in children in the mixed dentition phase.

Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate predictors of malocclusion in Brazilian schoolchildren eight to ten years of age using a causal directed acyclic graph model.

Methodology

Ethical considerations

This study received approval from the local human research ethics committee (approval number: 3.255.174; process number: 10514619.2.0000.5187) and was conducted in accordance with the guidelines stipulated in the Declaration of Helsinki. Parents/guardians received clarifications regarding the objectives of the study and signed a statement of informed consent authorizing the participation of the children. The children also agreed to participate in the study by signing a term of assent.

Study design and sample

A descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted at public and private schools in the city of Campina Grande, which is located in northeastern Brazil. Data collection took place between August and November 2019. This study was reported following the guidelines of Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE statement).2121.Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gøtzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP; STROBE Initiative. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. Int J Surg. 2014 Dec;12(12):1495-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2014.07.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2014.07.0...

A representative sample was selected using a two-step (schools and children) probabilistic cluster sampling. Ten public schools and 13 private schools were randomly selected, followed by the selection of children aged eight to ten years at the selected schools using a simple random sampling procedure. The number of students was proportional to the number of children enrolled in the six different administrative districts of the city.

The sample size was calculated for analytical studies that compare two independent proportions using the G* Power software program, version 3.1 (Franz Faul, Universitat Kiel, Germany), considering a 95% significance level and 80% study power. The proportion of malocclusion in the pilot study in children with and without sleep disorders was respectively 54.1% and 40%. The use of this variable provided the largest sample for the evaluation of associations in the present study. The minimum sample was calculated to be 392 schoolchildren. A design effect of 1.6 was applied, leading to a sample of 628 schoolchildren, to which 20% was added to compensate for possible dropouts. Thus, the desired final sample was 785 schoolchildren.

A pilot study was conducted with 40 children from a public school and a private school. These children were selected by convenience and were not included in the main study. The results of the pilot study revealed no need to alter the proposed methods.

Eligibility criteria

Children eight to ten years of age enrolled at public and private schools in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil, were included. Children with syndromes, developmental disorders, cognitive impairment reported by teachers and guardians, a current or past orthodontic treatment, and whose guardians did not share the same residence as them were excluded from the study.

Training and calibration exercises

Training of the examiners was conducted in two steps (theory and practice), as reported by Neves et al.1717.Neves ET, Dutra LD, Gomes MC, Paiva SM, Abreu MH, Ferreira FM, et al. The impact of oral health literacy and family cohesion on dental caries in early adolescence. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2020 Jun;48(3):232-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12520
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12520...
An experienced specialist trained four dentists in the diagnosis of malocclusion using the Dental Aesthetic Index. The first step was a discussion of the criteria for diagnosis involving photographs, plaster models, a clinical chart, and the sequence to follow during clinical examination. The second step consisted of the calibration exercise, in which 40 children from a public school and a private school were examined on two different occasions for the determination of inter-examiner and intra-examiner agreement using the Kappa statistic. The coefficients revealed good levels of agreement (K > 0.80).

Non-clinical data collection

A sociodemographic questionnaire, oral habits questionnaire, the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children, and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale were sent to the parents/guardians for the collection of non-clinical data.

The sociodemographic questionnaire addressed the child’s sex, age and skin color, mother’s age and schooling, family income, and number of residents in the home. Another questionnaire was used to collected the parents’/guardians’ reports on the practice and frequency of oral habits of the child at the time of the data collection (digit [finger/thumb] sucking, pacifier sucking, and use of a feeding bottle).

Sleep disorders were investigated using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), which has been validated in Brazil2222.Ferreira VR, Carvalho LB, Ruotolo F, de Morais JF, Prado LB, Prado GF. Sleep disturbance scale for children: translation, cultural adaptation, and validation. Sleep Med. 2009 Apr;10(4):457-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2008.03.018
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2008.03....
. The SDSC addresses the sleep habits of children in the previous six months and consists of 25 items that assess disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, sleep breathing disorders, disorders of arousal, sleep-wake transition disorders, disorders of excessive sleepiness, and sleep hyperhydrosis. Each item has scored response options ranging from 1 to 5: “never”, “occasionally” (once or twice per month), “sometimes” (once or twice per week), “often” (three to five times per week), and “always” (daily). The sum of the scores provides a total score ranging from 26 to 130 points.2323.Romeo DM, Bruni O, Brogna C, Ferri R, Galluccio C, De Clemente V, et al. Application of the sleep disturbance scale for children (SDSC) in preschool age. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2013 Jul;17(4):374-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2012.12.009
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2012.12.0...
In the present study, a cutoff of 39 points was used to characterize the presence of sleep disorder in a child.2222.Ferreira VR, Carvalho LB, Ruotolo F, de Morais JF, Prado LB, Prado GF. Sleep disturbance scale for children: translation, cultural adaptation, and validation. Sleep Med. 2009 Apr;10(4):457-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2008.03.018
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2008.03....

Family relations were evaluated using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES III), which has been validated in Brazil.2424.Falceto OG, Busnello ED, Bozzetti MC. [Validation of diagnostic scales of family functioning for use in primary health care services]. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2000 Apr;7(4):255-63. Portuguese. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1020-49892000000400007
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1020-4989200000...
This instrument is composed of 20 items. Even-numbered items address family cohesion and odd-numbered items address family adaptability. Based on the results (sum of cohesion items and sum of adaptability items), family functioning is classified as extreme (1–2), medium level of balance (3-4), moderately balanced (5–6) or balanced (7–8). This determination was performed with the aid of a scoring table created by the authors.2424.Falceto OG, Busnello ED, Bozzetti MC. [Validation of diagnostic scales of family functioning for use in primary health care services]. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2000 Apr;7(4):255-63. Portuguese. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1020-49892000000400007
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1020-4989200000...

Clinical data collection

The children performed supervised brushing prior to the clinical examinations to facilitate diagnosis and received counseling on appropriate oral hygiene. The participants were examined individually in a reserved room in the school, sitting in front of the examiner, who used personal protective equipment, a LED lamp on the head (Petzl Zoom; Petzl America; Clearfield, USA), sterilized mouth mirror (PRISMA, São Paulo, Brazil), sterilized Williams probe WHO-621; Trindade, Campo Mourão, Brazil), and gauze to dry the teeth.

The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was used for the diagnosis of malocclusion. This is a quantitative index proposed by Cons et al.2525.Cons NC, Jenny J, Kohout FJ. DAI: the Dental Aesthetic Index. Iowa City (Iowa): College of Dentistry, University of Iowa; 1986. and recommended by the World Health Organization2626.World Health Organization. Basic oral health surveys. São Paulo: Santos; 1999. for the evaluation of the degree of esthetic impact of malocclusion based on occlusal characteristics: missing teeth, anterior crowding, anterior spacing, midline diastema, greater anterior misalignment in the maxilla, greater anterior misalignment in the mandible, horizontal overjet, negative horizontal overjet, anterior open bite, and anteroposterior molar relationship. The DAI results classify the severity of malocclusion and the need for orthodontic treatment: ≤ 25 = normal occlusion, no need for treatment; 26 to 30 = definite malocclusion suggesting elective treatment; 31 to 35 = severe malocclusion with treatment highly recommended; ≥ 36 = very severe malocclusion, treatment necessary.2525.Cons NC, Jenny J, Kohout FJ. DAI: the Dental Aesthetic Index. Iowa City (Iowa): College of Dentistry, University of Iowa; 1986. , 2626.World Health Organization. Basic oral health surveys. São Paulo: Santos; 1999.

Breathing pattern was evaluated using the breathing domain of the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S), which has been adapted and validated for Brazilian Portuguese2727.Leme MS, Barbosa TS, Gavião MB. [Brazilian version of the Nordic Orofacial Test - Screening (NOT-S) for evaluation of orofacial dysfunctions]. Pesqui Bras Odontopediatria Clin Integr. 2011;11(2):281-9. Portuguese. https://doi.org/10.4034/PBOCI.2011.112.21
https://doi.org/10.4034/PBOCI.2011.112.2...
. The NOT-S is administered as an interview with “yes” (1 point) and “no” (0 points) answers. Mouth breathing was recorded as present when at least one “yes” answer was given and absent when the score was 0.

For the evaluation of premature tooth loss due to caries, missing teeth were recorded during clinical examination for the determination of the DAI, except those lost due to physiological exfoliation. To obtain information on physiological exfoliation, the eruption chronology was considered, and the child was asked at the time of the examination whether the missing tooth “fell out on its own” or had been extracted due to caries. Anthropometric data (weight and height) were collected using a portable Tanita® digital scale (Model UM080W) and a stadiometer. Both devices were placed on the floor with no carpet or rug. Each measurement was taken three times, followed by the calculation of mean weight and height for each child. Nutritional status was calculated using the AnthroPlus program indicated by the World Health Organization2828.World Health Organization. AnthroPlus for personal computers Manual: Software for assessing growth of the world’s children and adolescents. Geneva: WHO, 2009. and the result was evaluated in percentiles: score of -3 (3rd percentile, severely underweight); -2 (15th percentile, underweight); -1 (50th percentile, adequate); +1 (85th percentile, overweight); +2 (97th percentile, obesity); +3 (> 97th percentile, severe obesity).

Directed acyclic graph

A directed acyclic graph (DAG) was created using the DAGitty software program (version 3.0) to select covariables for the statistical adjustments and to assist in interpretating the effect of the exposure variables on malocclusion2929.Shrier I, Platt RW. Reducing bias through directed acyclic graphs. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2008 Oct;8(1):70. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-8-70
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-8-70...
. The DAG included the outcome, antecedents of the outcome, antecedents of the outcome and exposure, and latent variables (those not collected but that could have an influence on the outcome). Family income, mother’s schooling, and number of residents in the home were used as control factors to adjust the model ( Figure ).

Figure
Directed acyclic graph (DAG) used for analysis of independent variables and malocclusion.

Statistical analysis

Data organization and analysis were performed with the aid of SPSS Statistics (SPSS for Windows, version 25.0; IBM Inc., Armonk, USA). The dependent variable was malocclusion as determined by the DAI score and was treated as a dichotomous categorical variable (yes: DAI > 25; no: DAI ≤ 25).44.Martins MT, Sardenberg F, Bendo CB, Vale MP, Paiva SM, Pordeus IA. Dental caries are more likely to impact on children’s quality of life than malocclusion or traumatic dental injuries. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2018 Sep;19(3):194-8. https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2018.19.03.5
https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2018.19.03...
The independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics, obesity, sleep disorders, sucking habits, mouth breathing, premature tooth loss, and type of family. Unadjusted and adjusted robust logistic regression analyses for complex samples were performed. Variables with a p-value < 0.20 were incorporated into the final model using the backward stepwise method and adjusted using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 in the adjusted model were considered to be significantly associated with the outcome and remained in the final model.

Results

The final sample was composed of 739 children eight to ten years of age (mean: 8.9 ± 0.82 years), for a 94% response rate. Dropouts occurred due to three consecutive student absences and refusals to participate.

Table 1 displays the characteristics of the sample. The prevalence of malocclusion was 49.1%. Most participants had sleep disorders (58.6%) and family functioning was classified as moderately balanced in 37.1% of the sample.

Table 1
Characterization of the sample

Table 2 displays associations between independent variables and malocclusion. In the unadjusted analysis, sociodemographic characteristics, obesity, premature tooth loss, and family functioning were not associated with malocclusion.

Table 2
. Logistic regression for family functioning, sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical factors associated with malocclusion in children.

In the adjusted analysis, children with sleep disorders were 2.61-fold more likely to have malocclusion compared to those without sleep disorders (OR = 2.61; 95%CI: 2.43-2.86). Moreover, children with mouth breathing were 1.04-fold more likely to have malocclusion (OR = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.02–1.99). Children with non-nutritive sucking habits were 2.45-fold more likely to have malocclusion (OR = 2.45; 95%CI: 2.37–4.85) and those with obesity had a 54% greater likelihood of having malocclusion (OR = 1.54; 95%CI: 1.02–2.33).

Discussion

In the present study, malocclusion was more prevalent in children with sleep disorders, sucking habits, mouth breathing, and obesity. This is the first study to evaluate the association between family functioning and malocclusion in children. However, this variable was not significantly associated with the outcome after model adjustments in the multivariate analysis. Thus, the hypothesis of this study was rejected.

The early analysis of predictors of malocclusion is important, as malocclusion in the mixed dentition phase tends to persist in the permanent dentition3030.Majorana A, Bardellini E, Amadori F, Conti G, Polimeni A. Timetable for oral prevention in childhood: developing dentition and oral habits: a current opinion. Prog Orthod. 2015;16(1):39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40510-015-0107-8
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40510-015-0107-...
and can have a negative impact on quality of life.33.Vedovello SA, Ambrosano GM, Pereira AC, Valdrighi HC, Filho MV, Meneghim MC. Association between malocclusion and the contextual factors of quality of life and socioeconomic status. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2016 Jul;150(1):58-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.12.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2015.12....
, 99.Dimberg L, Arnrup K, Bondemark L. The impact of malocclusion on the quality of life among children and adolescents: a systematic review of quantitative studies. Eur J Orthod. 2015 Jun;37(3):238-47. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejo/cju046
https://doi.org/10.1093/ejo/cju046...
, 1010.Tondolo Junior J, Knorst JK, Menegazzo GR, Emmanuelli B, Ardenghi TM. Influence of malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life in children: a seven-year cohort study. Dental Press J Orthod. 2021 Apr;26(2):e2119244. https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.26.2.e2119244.oar
https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.26.2.e...
The prevalence of malocclusion in this study was high (49.1%). This high prevalence was probably influenced by genetic factors, which were not assessed in our study. However, children with sucking habits were more likely to have malocclusion, which is in agreement with findings described in the literature. Children care little about esthetic issues and may be reluctant to give up such habits. It is therefore important that parents/guardians recognize signs of harmful habits early3131.Alvarez-Páucar MA, Revoredo-Morote R. Perception of parents about the oral habits of their children and their malocclusion traits. Acta Scientific Dental Sciences. 2019;3(11):18-21. https://doi.org/10.31080/ASDS.2019.03.0667
https://doi.org/10.31080/ASDS.2019.03.06...
and seek multidisciplinary care when necessary.

Mouth breathing remained associated with higher frequency of malocclusion in the present sample. A systematic review study found that the mandible and maxilla undergo backward and downward rotation in children with mouth breathing.3232.Zhao Z, Zheng L, Huang X, Li C, Liu J, Hu Y. Effects of mouth breathing on facial skeletal development in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health. 2021 Mar;21(1):108. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01458-7
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01458...
Atypical breathing can lead to changes in the maxillofacial complex and have an impact on the facial profile. Children with sleep disorders were also more likely to have malocclusion in the present study. The possible causal factors of sleep disorders are rhinitis, tonsillar hypertrophy, and airway obstruction, which can lead to a change in the facial profile and, consequently, to malocclusion66.Mutlu E, Parlak B, Kuru S, Oztas E, Pınar-Erdem A, Sepet E. Evaluation of crossbites in relation with dental arch widths, occlusion type, nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits and respiratory factors in the early mixed dentition. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2019;17(5):447-55. https://doi.org/10.3290/j.ohpd.a42738
https://doi.org/10.3290/j.ohpd.a42738...
, 77.Paolantonio EG, Ludovici N, Saccomanno S, La Torre G, Grippaudo C. Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion in Italian preschoolers. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2019 Sep;20(3):204-8. https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2019.20.03.07
https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2019.20.03...
, 1515.Balraj K, Shetty V, Hegde A. Association of sleep disturbances and craniofacial characteristics in children with class ii malocclusion: an evaluative study. Indian J Dent Res. 2021;32(3):280-7. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_226_19
https://doi.org/10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_226_19...
. It is therefore important to investigate possible sleep disorders and causal factors in the population susceptible to the development of malocclusion.

Family functioning is a useful indicator for estimating the effect of family relations on the occurrence of dental caries.1717.Neves ET, Dutra LD, Gomes MC, Paiva SM, Abreu MH, Ferreira FM, et al. The impact of oral health literacy and family cohesion on dental caries in early adolescence. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2020 Jun;48(3):232-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12520
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12520...
This variable was not associated with malocclusion in the present sample, possibly because it has an indirect effect, as unbalanced families can generate anxiety and, consequently, children may develop harmful oral habits as a compensatory mechanism. However, there is no previous evidence on this aspect with regards to the occurrence of malocclusion. Thus, longitudinal studies or even cross-sectional studies that explore the indirect effect of this variable should be conducted, as family relations play an important role in child behavior.

Premature tooth loss did not have an influence on the prevalence of malocclusion in the present study. It is possible that the time elapsed since tooth loss was insufficient to cause the movement of adjacent teeth at the time of data collection and result in some type of malocclusion. A systematic review with meta-analysis on premature tooth loss found that the quality of evidence on this association is low and that further studies are needed.88.Nadelman P, Bedran N, Magno MB, Masterson D, Castro AC, Maia LC. Premature loss of primary anterior teeth and its consequences to primary dental arch and speech pattern: A systematic review and meta-analysis [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 3]. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2020 Nov;30(6):687-712. https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12644
https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12644...

A limitation of the present study is the cross-sectional design, which does not allow a cause-and-effect relationship to be established between the variables analyzed. However, the study also has strengths, such as the representative school-based sample and the use of validated instruments. Moreover, the DAI was used for the diagnosis of malocclusion, which is recommended by the World Health Organization.2626.World Health Organization. Basic oral health surveys. São Paulo: Santos; 1999. Another important aspect was the use of a DAG to select and control for confounding variables and to facilitate causal interpretation of the effect of the exposure on the outcome.

The present results are useful for the determination of health priorities and can assist in the planning of public policies directed at the family environment regarding oral health practices of children. Lectures that stress the influence of sleep disorders and obesity on oral abnormalities constitute important health promotion measures. Another point that merits attention concerns the clinical evaluation performed by a dentist, during which information on sleep characteristics, characteristics of the child, non-nutritive sucking habits, and mouth breathing should be investigated and could help prevent malocclusion.

Further studies are needed with a long-term evaluation of how sleep disorders influence the occurrence of malocclusion. Future studies should also evaluate different types of malocclusion in relation to these factors, which could contribute to a better understanding of this issue.

Conclusion

According to the regression analyses based on a causal directed acyclic graph model, sleep disorders, mouth breathing, non-nutritive sucking habits, and obesity are predictors of malocclusion in schoolchildren aged eight to ten years. In contrast, family functioning does not seem to have a direct influence on the prevalence of malocclusion.

Acknowledgment

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare and received no funding from outside sources.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    27 Oct 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    15 Sept 2022
  • Accepted
    6 Feb 2023
  • Reviewed
    6 Mar 2023
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