Occlusal traits, orthodontic treatment need and treatment complexity among untreated 17-21-year-olds in Estonia.

Objective: To analyze data on occlusal traits, orthodontic treatment need and treatment complexity in orthodontically untreated 17-21-year-old Estonians.Materials and methods: Clinical records and plaster casts of 390 untreated young adults (219 females and 171 males, mean age 18.5 years, range 17-21 years) were analyzed. Assessed occlusal traits included first molar and canine sagittal relationship, overjet, overbite, crowding, midline diastema, crossbite and scissor bite. The Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON) was used to assess orthodontic treatment need and complexity. Participants' opinions regarding their teeth were determined with a questionnaire.Results: The most prevalent occlusal traits were Class I sagittal relationship in canines (76%) and molars (70%), crowding (51%), overbite ≥3.5 mm (48%), the end-to-end sagittal relationship in canines (48%) and overjet ≥3.5 mm (47%). Antero-posterior asymmetry was common both in canines (39%) and molars (37%). According to ICON, 36% of participants had orthodontic treatment need.Conclusions: Desire for orthodontic treatment was associated with crowding and increased overjet, and with no gender difference, participants' main expectation of treatment was an improvement in dentofacial aesthetics. Treatment needs determined with ICON was moderate and in line with the participants' desire for orthodontic treatment.

Width of dental arches in patients with maxillary midline diastema.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were as follows: (1) to examine the width of the dental arches of patients with maxillary midline diastema and compare it with control group; (2) to investigate the impact of the width of upper dental arch on the width of diastema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diagnostic orthodontic plaster models of 102 patients with permanent dentition were studied. Patients were divided into two groups: study group with diastema and control group without diastema. Patients with severe malocclusion, craniofacial diseases, hypodontia and microdontia and pa-tients with periodontal disease were excluded. The transpalatal width of palate, premolar and molar arch widths in Pont's points of upper and lower jaw were measured using digital calliper. The results were statistically analysed. RESULTS: Analysis showed a significant correlation between presence of diastema and premolar and molar width of the dental arches for both upper and lower jaw. Studied widths were larger in patients with diastema compared to the group without diastema. Analysis of the transpalatal width showed statistically significant differences between the study group and the control group. Analysis of widths of diastema and transpalatal widths showed that there was not statistically sig-nificant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diastema had increased in size in both the premolar and molar width of the dental arches. Increase the width affect to both upper and lower dental arch. Patients with diastema also were characterised by often occurrence of normal or increased of the transpalatal width but the width of the diastema did not correlate with the width of the palate. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 340-344).

Occlusal Characteristics of the Primary Dentition Revisited.

The occlusal characteristics of the primary dentition of 130 children 3 to 6 years old were examined. Variables were the terminal plane relationship, primary canine occlusion, spacing, overjet and overbite relationships. The flush terminal plane was the most common finding. A Class I relationship of the primary canine occurred in 85% of the subjects. Spaced dentitions occurred 81% of the time, while the presence of primate spaces occurred in at least one of the four quadrants. The overjet relationship varied from +1 mm to 4 mm in all subjects, and the majority of children were considered to have a normal overbite.

Laypersons' esthetic perception of various computer-generated diastemas: a pilot study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Managing excess anterior spacing is a common problem in dental practice. During orthodontic or restorative treatment planning, clinicians must decide how to distribute this space. However, few reports are available in the dental literature about the attractiveness and esthetic impact of anterior spaces other than midline diastemas. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the esthetic perception of 4 different anterior diastemas, including simian diastemas (symmetrical diastemas between lateral incisor and canine), diastemas suggested by Frush and Fisher (asymmetrical diastemas between lateral incisor and canine and between central and lateral incisor), and by Lombardi (slight midline diastema and 2 larger diastemas between central and lateral incisors), and a midline diastema. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A picture of a young woman's smiling face was modified by using photoediting software to create the 4 previously mentioned diastemas. The resulting pictures were presented to laypersons questioned in French public places. The participants were asked to rank the pictures from most to least attractive, then to rate them with a mark from 1 to 10. RESULTS: One hundred and five participants completed the questionnaire. The median ranks and scores attributed to the pictures from most to least attractive were as follows: simian diastemas, 1 and 8; Frush and Fisher diastemas, 2 and 7; Lombardi diastemas, 3 and 5; and midline diastemas, 4 and 4, respectively. The hierarchy (simian diastemas>Frush and Fisher diastemas>Lombardi diastemas>midline diastemas) could be established statistically for the scores (P=.03, P<.001, and P<.001, respectively) but not for the ranks when adjusting on subjects' sex and age (P=.11, P=.03, and P=.06, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed an esthetic hierarchy of anterior diastemas. The negative perception of anterior diastemas seems to mainly be related to the presence and width of a midline diastema. These results can guide clinical decisions for patients with excess anterior spacing.

Analysis of anterior dentoalveolar and perioral aesthetic characteristics and their impact on the decision to undergo a Phase II orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Researchers have conducted extensive studies regarding dentoalveolar factors that affect anterior dental aesthetics; however, there is no consensus regarding how these factors affect orthodontic treatment decisions. Only a few studies have included multiple factors simultaneously. Therefore, the objective was to investigate if there are identifiable dentofacial and perioral aesthetic factors that bias laypeople towards discontinuing treatment after a phase I treatment with this fixed class II corrector. METHODS: An analysis of photos and dental casts of 60 children (23 males, 37 females) having received phase I orthodontic treatment with the Xbow appliance was conducted. Variables considered were incisor height and width measurements, incisor proportions, incisor angulations, vertical lip thickness, gingival/incisal display, smile width per cent, diastema, midline deviation, smile arc, gender, and use of a 2×4. A principal component analysis and a logistic regression were used to determine which factors related to a patient's likelihood of receiving further orthodontic treatment. RESULTS: Only the angulation of the right maxillary incisors was significantly related to a patient's likelihood (odds ratio 1.886 (1.004-3.466); P = 0.049) to proceed to phase II orthodontic treatment following phase I orthodontic treatment with the Xbow appliance. The odds of proceeding to phase II treatment were 86.6% greater with a one standard deviation increase in the angulation of the right central and lateral incisors. Other factors demonstrated trends but were not statistically significant. LIMITATIONS: Sample in subgroups was small, excluded smiles that did not expose the upper incisor crowns significantly, smiles in real life are observed three-dimensionally, other factors outside the aesthetic measurements were not considered in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, the angulation of the maxillary right incisors was the most significant factor influencing the decision to undergo an orthodontic phase II.

Discriminative ability of the generic and condition specific Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) among adolescents with and without hypodontia.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to (1) investigate to what extent the generic and condition specific (CS) forms of the oral impact of daily performance (OIDP) inventory discriminate between a group of patients with hypodontia and a group of patients having malocclusion, (2) assess the association of the generic and CS OIDP with severity and localisation of hypodontia, whilst adjusting for patients' age and sex. METHODS: A total of 163 patients aged 10-17 years were included in a cross-sectional study. Two groups were investigated: 62 patients with non-syndromic hypodontia and 101 non-hypodontia patients. Both groups had a malocclusion of similar treatment need. All patients underwent a clinical and radiographic examination and completed a Norwegian version of the generic and the CS OIDP inventory. CS scores were established for impacts attributed to hypodontia. RESULTS: The mean number of missing teeth in the hypodontia group was 6.2. The prevalence of generic and CS oral impacts in the hypodontia group were 64% and 30%, and the corresponding rates in the non-hypodontia group were 62% and 10%. The generic OIDP did not discriminate between the two groups with respect to overall scores. The CS OIDP discriminated strongly between patients with and without hypodontia regarding problems with emotional status, showing teeth, social contact, speaking and carrying out work. Compared to the non-hypodontia group, patients with hypodontia, with severe hypodontia (≥ 6 missing teeth) and upper anterior hypodontia were respectively 3.4, 2.5 and 7.0 times more likely to report any oral impact attributed to small teeth, gaps between teeth and missing teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Hypodontia and malocclusion patients report a considerable burden of oral impacts. The CS-OIDP measure discriminated most effectively between patients with and without hypodontia and was related to severity and upper anterior localisation of hypodontia.

Degenerative changes in rat condylar cartilage induced by non-matching occlusion created by scattered orthodontic teeth-moving.

The effect of occlusion on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is debated. By inserting rubber-bands that were replaced by self-curing resin one week later, the left maxillary and the right mandibular first-molars were moved and kept mesially in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats in both experimental I (EXP-I) and II (EXP-II) groups, aiming to establish a non-matching cusp-to-fossa occlusal relation. Four weeks later, the left maxillary and the right mandibular third-molars were moved and kept distally in the EXP-II group. Degenerative changes, typically as a cell-free area, were observed in TMJs of the EXP groups. Binary logistical analysis indicated that the odds ratio of EXP group, EXP-II vs. EXP-I, on the incidence of a cell-free area, was 2.8 (p=.036). Time point, gender, and side did not have such effects (p>0.05). The results indicate that the persistence of more scattered non-matching cusp-to-fossa occlusion is more harmful to the condylar cartilage in terms of the incidence of degenerative changes.

Pathological tooth migration-spontaneous correction of diastema after surgical periodontal therapy: a case report.

A common consequence of moderate to extreme periodontitis is pathologic migration. This denotes tooth movement when the periodontal disease interjects the equilibrium among the elements that preserve physiological tooth position. The balancing factors can migrate the teeth in any direction. The etiology of pathological migration tends to be multifactorial, thus achieving early diagnosis is imperative, which will ultimately lead to the prompt removal of the etiological factors while avoiding severe bone destruction. In this case maxillary central incisors had diastema due to pathological migration with mobility grade I in maxillary left central incisor. Many cases of moderate to severe pathological migration need a suitable, interdisciplinary approach. Nevertheless, since it is possible to detect mild cases of Pathological tooth migration (PTM) at an early stage, spontaneous correction of migrated teeth can be accomplished by periodontal therapy alone. Regardless of the treatment selected, maintenance of stable results should be considered as an aim of treatment.

Cortical porosity of the mandible in an osteoporotic sheep model.

OBJECTIVES: Cortical porosity and thickness of the axial and the appendicular skeleton are predictors of osteoporotic fractures. In the jawbone, however, cortical porosity and thickness may affect the mechanical stability of dental implants. We have shown previously that the jawbone of osteoporotic sheep has impaired trabecular structures, but whether catabolic bone turnover also accounts for the cortical bone porosity remains unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compared mandibular bone from six geriatric sheep subjected to ovariectomy, calcium/vitamin D restriction, and methylprednisolone administration to those of six healthy adult control sheep. Histological ground sections were prepared from the diastema, first and second premolars, and postmolar region. Cortical porosity and thickness were assessed by histomorphometry. RESULTS: Cortical porosity was higher in osteoporotic sheep than in adult controls in the diastema and in the first and second premolar region. In the postmolar region, the difference failed to reach the level of significance. The changes were even more prominent when histomorphometry was restricted to the inner millimeter of the mandibular cortex. In contrast, induction of osteoporosis did not have a discernable effect on cortical thickness. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that cortical porosity of mandibles is more pronounced in geriatric osteoporotic sheep than in adult controls.

Sex differences in the uptake of orthodontic services among adolescents in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to test whether girls are treated orthodontically for milder occlusal issues than are boys, thus accounting for the greater uptake of orthodontic services among girls compared with boys. METHODS: The dental aesthetic index (DAI) was used to score the severity of esthetic occlusal issues in 357 white adolescents. Half of the subjects were from private practices; the others were from a university specialty clinic. RESULTS: Average DAI scores were statistically significantly lower (milder) in girls than boys in both venues; this confirms the assumption that the actual uptake of services is greater in girls because of heightened concern for their esthetic occlusal issues. Average DAI scores predictably were higher in the teaching setting because of selection for more complex cases, but the sex difference was still evident statistically. There was no association between DAI score and age at the start of treatment among these adolescents. Spacing and incisor irregularity showed the greatest sex differences among the DAI variables, possibly because girls are more attuned to these esthetic issues. CONCLUSIONS: These results complement studies that have recorded adolescents' perceptions of orthodontic need. The actual uptake of orthodontic treatment is greater in girls because they (and their parents) seek treatment for milder occlusal issues.

Effect of neonatal capsaicin treatment on orthodontic tooth movement in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we examined the effect of neonatal administration of capsaicin on the magnitude of orthodontic tooth movement in rats. METHODS: Twelve timed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized between the capsaicin group and the vehicle group. The pups received treatment with either capsaicin or vehicle on day 2 of life. Capsaicin treatment has been shown to produce a selective destruction of fine myelinated and unmyelinated Aδ and C sensory nerve fibers, causing an inhibition of the effects from neurogenic inflammation. Tooth-movement experiments began at 12 weeks of age. A mesial tipping force was applied to the maxillary first molar by using a 3-mm length of Sentalloy closed-coil spring (Dentsply GAC Intl, Bohemia, NY) activated from a bonded molar cleat to the maxillary incisors; this appliance delivers a constant tipping force of 50 g. Diastema measurements between the first and second molars were made at 2 and 4 weeks after appliance placement. Measurements were made indirectly from stone models by using a charge-coupled device microscope camera and Optimas 5.2 measurement software (Media Cybernetics, Bethesda, Md). Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the differences between the groups. RESULTS: The capsaicin-treated rats and the controls did not differ in the amount of tooth movement at the collected time points (P >0.05). Similarly, the magnitude of change of tooth movement from 2 to 4 weeks did not differ between the groups (P >0.05). An increase in average diastema size was observed between 2 and 4 weeks after appliance activation in both treatment groups (P <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that neonatal capsaicin desensitization in the rat does not affect the rate of orthodontic tooth movement after the application of a 50-g tipping force to the maxillary first molar. This might be due in part to the development of compensatory mechanisms in the chronically desensitized rat. Further studies are necessary to determine the reproducibility and histologic characteristics of this treatment.

Perceptions of Jordanian laypersons and dental professionals to altered smile aesthetics.

The purposes of this study were to rate the attractiveness of different smile variables, to compare the perception of Jordanian laypeople, general practitioners, and orthodontists to altered smile aesthetics, and to identify the threshold where different variables begin to impair smile aesthetics. A smiling photograph of a female dental student was selected and digitally manipulated to create changes in buccal corridor space (BCS), the amount of gingival display, and the midline diastema. These altered images were rated by three groups of Jordanians: 200 laypeople (100 females and 100 males), 200 general practitioners (100 females and 100 males), and 160 orthodontists (40 females and 120 males). Smile aesthetics scores were calculated and comparisons between groups were performed using the univariate general linear model. The results showed that profession and gender affected BCS and midline diastema attractiveness ratings (P<0.001). Wide BCSs, a gingival display of more than 2 mm, and the presence of a midline diastema of any size were rated as unattractive by all groups.

Management of severe Class II division 1 malocclusion: a case report.

AIMS: To describe the two-phase treatment of a preadolescent boy with a severe skeletal Class II division 1 malocclusion with vertical maxillary excess and spaced upper incisors. METHODS: Treatment involved an orthopaedic phase using high-pull headgear and a maxillary intrusion splint followed by non-extraction orthodontic treatment with a pre-adjusted edgewise appliance. The case was assessed at the start of treatment (T1), at the end of orthopaedic treatment (T2), at the end of orthodontic treatment (T3) and 2 years after debanding (T4). RESULTS: At T2 the Class II molar occlusion was corrected to a Class I molar relationship and the overjet and overbite were considerably reduced. A lower lip trap was relieved and a normal mentolabial sulcus obtained. The cephalometric changes at T2 revealed a 4 degree reduction in the ANB angle but no change in the SNA angle. At T3, the inclination of the upper central incisors, the overjet and overbite were normal and the spaces between the upper anterior teeth were closed. At T4, the Class I molar and canine relationships, reduced overjet, reduced overbite and intercuspation were maintained. The curve of Spee deepened slightly. CONCLUSION: A severe skeletal Class II division 1 malocclusion with vertical maxillary excess may be successfully treated in two phases with an initial orthopaedic appliance in the form of high-pull head gear and a maxillary intrusion splint followed by fixed appliances.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia-2B presenting with orthodontic relapse.

The multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes are a relatively uncommon group of genetic disorders characterized by the development of tumors in various endocrine organs. MEN type 2B is of particular interest to the dental profession because of its oral manifestations, which are often some of the earliest clinically detectable signs of the disorder. Early identification of this syndrome is critical because affected patients often develop a characteristic malignancy, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, at a very early age. We describe a 17-year-old male whose initial diagnosis of MEN-2B was triggered by his orthodontist's request for an oral and maxillofacial pathology consultation to evaluate the patient's oral abnormalities.

Dental aesthetic index: applicability in Indian population: a retrospective study.

A variety of indices have been developed to assist professionals in categorizing malocclusion according to treatment needs. Dental aesthetic index (DAI) is one such index. DAI quantifies the normal variations usually seen and the dentofacial anomalies. A retrospective study on hundred available and treated cases was carried out on the casts. This survey was mainly carried out to determine the role of pedodontist in early identification of dental anomalies using DAI and sound referral of the patient to the orthodontist for better comprehensive care during the growth period in children. The materials used to collect data included periodontal probe with millimeter markings, ruler, calipers, pencil, and eraser. The results showed that when grouped according to various malocclusion severity levels by DAI, 3% had no or minor malocclusion indicating no or slight need of treatment, 15% had definite malocclusion and the treatment needed was elective, 27% had severe malocclusion and treatment was highly desirable, and remaining 55% of the casts had very severe or handicapping malocclusion and the treatment was mandatory. This study shows that DAI can be effectively used to evaluate and recognize the orthodontic needs of Indian children with permanent dentition and treated at an early stage so that the treatment is more effective.

Space planning sensitivity and specificity: Royal London Space Planning and Korkhaus Analyses.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the sensitivity and specificity of the Korkhaus and Royal London Space Planning Analyses. METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 cases with two sets of study models and lateral cephalometric radiographs taken at least three years apart. These were then further subdivided into Class I (N = 10), Class II division 1 (N = 10) and Class II division 2 cases (N = 10). The Royal London Space Planning Analysis and the Korkhaus Analysis were applied on these cases at both times. RESULTS: Study model analysis: The Royal London Planning Analysis revealed that in Class I malocclusions, upper and lower arch crowding and spacing changed significantly with time. The total space required and tooth size reduction for the lower arch had also changed significantly. Additionally, in the Class II division 1 malocclusions, lower arch crowding and spacing, total space required and the need for tooth size reduction had significantly increased, while in Class II division 2 malocclusions, a statistically significant increase was observed in the upper and lower arch crowding and spacing. The Korkhaus Analysis showed that in Class I malocclusions, a significant decrease was observed in the lower arch length and the lower anterior arch width. The upper posterior (inter-molar) arch width had significantly increased. In Class II division 1 malocclusions the lower right posterior space available had decreased significantly. The upper posterior arch width and the lower posterior arch width also significantly increased. In Class II division 2 malocclusions, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the lower anterior arch length. There were no significant changes in all angular and the two linear measurements for all classes. CONCLUSIONS: The Royal London Space Planning Analysis and the Korkhause Analysis are clinically sensitive analyses. The Royal London Space Planning Analysis lacks specificity to be a robust model for treatment planning; modification may be required before this technique is accepted.

Clinical characteristics and complications associated with mesiodentes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and complications of patients with mesiodens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the radiographic reviews of patients who visited Seoul National University Dental Hospital from January 2005 through January 2008, 919 patients were identified as having mesiodens (total 1,200 mesiodentes). The number, location, position, eruption status, shape, direction, and complications of the mesiodens and gender and age were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 11.05 years (median 7.58) with a male/female ratio of 2.74:1. The results showed that 71.38% of the patients had 1 mesiodens, 27.75% had 2, 0.65% had 3, and 0.22% had 4 mesiodentes. Complications occurred in 46.92% of the mesiodentes. Of the complications, midline diastema was observed in 35.34%, delayed eruption in 20.60%, displacement in 16.60%, rotation in 11.02%, root resorption of adjacent teeth in 7.58%, cystic changes or cyst formation in 5.29%, and nasal eruption in 3.58%. CONCLUSIONS: Complications were found in approximately one half of the patients with a mesiodens. Early detection and timely surgical intervention should be emphasized to prevent unwanted complications.

Acceptability of dental appearance in a group of Finnish 16- to 25-year-olds.

OBJECTIVE: To define a grade in the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) that would differentiate between esthetically acceptable and unacceptable occlusions and that would also be both subjectively and objectively meaningful. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental appearance and self-perceived orthodontic treatment need were analyzed in a group of Finnish young adults (171 males, 263 females, age range 16-25 years). Subjective data were gathered using a questionnaire, and the respondents were requested to score their dental appearance on a visual analog type 10-grade scale. Professional assessment of dental appearance was performed by two orthodontists using the AC of the IOTN. The cutoff value between esthetically acceptable and unacceptable occlusions was defined using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of orthodontically treated and 74% of the untreated respondents were satisfied with their own dental appearance. Every third respondent reported one or more disturbing traits in their dentition. The most frequently expressed reason for dissatisfaction was crowding; girls expressed dissatisfaction more often than boys did (P = .005). A self-perceived treatment need was reported infrequently by 8% of orthodontically treated and 6% of untreated respondents. In the logistic regression analysis, self-perceived need for orthodontic treatment was the only significant factor explaining dissatisfaction with own dental esthetics. On the applied scales, grades 1 and 2 fulfilled the criteria for satisfactory dental esthetics. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the AC grade 3 could serve as a cutoff value between esthetically acceptable and unacceptable occlusions.

Dimensions of diastemata and associated periodontal food pockets in donkey cheek teeth.

Equine cheek teeth (CT) diastemata often cause deep periodontal food pocketing and are therefore regarded as a painful dental disorder of equidae. However there appears to be no information available on the size or shape of these diastemata. This post mortem study examined 16 donkey skulls (mean age = 32-years) containing 45 CT diastemata to define the anatomical shape and dimensions of these diastemata, and of the associated periodontal food pockets that occur with this disorder. Diastemata were found to more commonly involve mandibular (56.0%) compared with maxillary CT (44.0%), and 71.0% of these diastemata had adjacent intercurrent dental disorders that may have predisposed donkeys to the diastemata. The median widths of all diastemata were 2.0-mm at the occlusal surface and 3.1-mm at the gingival margin, with no diferences in widths between the lateral or medial aspects of diastemata. Diastemata were defined as open (60.00%) or valve (40.00%) based on their gross appearance. This classification was confirmed to be accurate by measurements that showed valve diastemata to have an occlusal to gingival width ratio of 0.4, in contrast to open diastemata where this ratio was 1.07. Food was impacted in 89.0% of diastemata, but all diastemata had adjacent periodontal disease. Periodontal food pocketing was present adjacent to 76.0% of diastemata, more commonly on the lateral aspect (73.0% prevalence; mean pocket depth = 4.1-mm) than the medial aspect (47.0% prevalence; mean pocket depth = 2.4-mm). The depth of periodontal pockets of diastemata was not associated with the height of the erupted crowns of adjacent CT.

The prevalence of malocclusal traits and their correlations in mixed dentition children: results from the Italian OHSAR Survey.

PURPOSE: To know the prevalence of malocclusal traits and their correlation in Italian mixed dentition children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 1,198 children 7 to 11 years old, who had never undergone orthodontic treatment, were included in the Italian Oral Health of Schoolchildren of the Abruzzo Region (OHSAR) Survey. Canine and molar classes, overbite, overjet, dental crowding, maxillary midline diastema, crossbite and scissorbite were recorded. The canine and molar classes were considered as dependent variables, and their separate correlations with all of the other occlusal traits were analysed by multivariate methods. RESULTS: Over 90% of the children showed at least one malocclusal trait; the mean +/- SD of malocclusal traits was 3.5 +/- 1.8. Gender did not affect the prevalence of any malocclusal traits. Dental class II was correlated with increased overbite and overjet, and negatively correlated with the maxillary midline diastema; dental class III was correlated with decreased overbite and overjet, and crossbite. Asymmetrical dental class was correlated with increased overjet and crossbite. Dental crowding showed very little correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of malocclusal traits in Italian children is very high, and more effort is needed to implement early interventions, including close monitoring and modifications of lifestyle.