Prevalence of Malocclusion and Distribution of Occlusal Characteristics in 13- to 18-year-old Adolescents Attending Selected High Schools in the Municipality of San Juan, PR (2012-2013).

OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional study was conducted (2012-2013) to evaluate the prevalence of 1) malocclusion and 2) occlusal characteristics in 13- to 18-yearold adolescents in San Juan, Puerto Rico (PR) from selected high schools in the municipality of San Juan.

METHODS: The study sample consisted of 155 adolescents. The University of Puerto Rico's IRB approved the study and consent and assent were completed for or by each participant, as applicable. A calibrated dentist performed a single-visit dental evaluation at each school. Occlusal characteristics were measured and recorded according to the criteria reported in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and included overjet, overbite, anterior and posterior crossbites, incisor irregularity, maxillary midline diastema and Angle's classification. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SAS statistical software.

RESULTS: The mean age of the study subjects was 16 (±1.2) years; all subjects (100%) presented at least 1 abnormal occlusal trait. The most frequent anomaly noted was maxillary malalignment (83%), followed by lower incisor irregularity and excessive overbite (79%) and excessive overjet (63%); the least common occlusal trait was open bite (1.9%). Compared by gender, no statistically significant difference was observed for any variable (p = 0.05). Seventy-three percent (73%) of the subjects presented with Class I malocclusion, 7.1% with Class II malocclusion and 19.4% with Class III malocclusion.

CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of malocclusion was observed in this group of adolescents, highlighting the need to implement preventive measures to improve oral health in this population.