Deciduous-dentition malocclusion predicts orthodontic treatment needs later: Findings from a population-based birth cohort study

•This is one of the few birth cohort studies that included malocclusion.•Open bite in the deciduous dentition predicts orthodontic treatment needs by age 12 years.•Canine malocclusion at age 6 increased desirable orthodontic treatment needs at age 12.•Crossbite and open bite at age 6 predict orthodontic treatment needs by age 12.

IntroductionEstimating orthodontic treatment need in the permanent dentition using information from the deciduous-dentition malocclusion may assist in defining the time for appropriate orthodontic intervention. Our objective was to investigate whether malocclusion in the deciduous teeth predicts orthodontic treatment need in the permanent dentition.MethodsTwo oral health studies nested in a birth cohort were carried out at ages 6 (n = 359) and 12 (n = 339) years. Open bite, crossbite, and canine malocclusion were assessed in the deciduous teeth. Orthodontic treatment need was determined in the permanent dentition using the dental esthetic index. Prevalence ratios were estimated using 2 dental esthetic index cutoff points: highly desirable/mandatory orthodontic treatment and only mandatory orthodontic treatment. We tested all combinations of the deciduous malocclusion and the outcomes, controlling for confounders.ResultsChildren with only open bite and those with concurrent open bite and canine malocclusion were more likely to have either highly desirable/mandatory orthodontic treatment or only mandatory orthodontic treatment needs by age 12. The combination of crossbite and open bite in the deciduous teeth was associated with the highest risk of need for mandatory orthodontic treatment.ConclusionsMalocclusion in the deciduous teeth is a risk factor for orthodontic treatment need in the permanent dentition. Children with malocclusion at a young age should be monitored regularly, and caregivers may be able to better prepare for possible orthodontic treatment.