A Reading on

Dental Occlusion and Malocclusion: Prevalence, Types and Treatment

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements on NCM 207 RLE

School Nursing Rotation

Submitted to:
Gemshe M. Santos, RN
Clinical Instructor

Submitted by:
Jamaicah Z. Iligan, StN
BSN 2A

September 30, 2020

Title: Dental Occlusion and Malocclusion: Prevalence, Types and Treatment
Bibliography: Slaghour, M.A et.al (2019). Dental Occlusion and Malocclusion: Prevalence,
Types and Treatment. EC Dental Science 18.8. Retrieved from:
https://www.ecronicon.com/ecde/pdf/ECDE-18-01109.pdf

Summary
Dental occlusion and malocclusion of the teeth is frequently over looked and most people
does not mind this type of disease even though it is important specially in our oral function.
When a baby turns 6 months of age it will start teeth will begin to erupt and it is trained or
held in the right position by the cheeks, tongue, lips and lips during development. This process
will go on until the child reaches the age of 3 years old which the stage for root development.
While this development is occurring the jaw will form a “diastema” in which it will allow the proper
spacing of the erupting teeth in which is called as the occlusion. But due to scientific factors,
such as the erupting of the permanent teeth and replacing the primary teeth and also the small
spacing between the primary molars and the permanent molars. In which if there is no space
between the primary teeth and the erupting permanent teeth the latter will drift its way resulting
crowding or the development of the Class 1 malocclusion.
According to Angel’s classififcation there 3 classes of occlusion as stated, the Class I
occlusion is the most common molar relationship with the maxillary meiso-facial cusp located in
the meiso-facial development groove of the 1st mandibular molar. In the same context, class II
describes the contact of the maxillary molar to the facial embrasure between the second
premolar and the first molar. Finally, class III where the meisofacial cusp of the 1st maxillary
molar being settled in the disto-facial groove of the 1st mandibular molar. In other words,
occlusion is the normal way the teeth grows and are in the right position.
The opposite of occlusion is malocclusion, malocclusion is also based upon Angle’s
classification namely; Malocclusion type I is characterized by a normal relationship between
molar tooth; however, there are sorts of crowing, spacing, over or under eruption. Type II
malocclusion is divided into division I which is characterized by the discrepancy in the relation
between upper and lower first molar resulting in open bite, while division II is associated with
retroclined maxillary incisors. Maxillary malposition results in type III malocclusion. On the other
hand, prevalence of malocclusion, it is the misalignment of the teeth of the upper and lower
dental arcs. In which this makes the teeth difficult to clean and can lead to decay, gum disease
and excess wear on supporting bone and gum disease. The prevalence of this malocclusion is
due to geographical base, age, sex, and urbanization. The most common type of malocclusion is
the Angel’s Class 1 malocclusion which affects nearly half of the population according to
Gudipaneni., et al. While in Saudi Arabia, according to Al-Emran., et al there are 62% of the
children aged 14 years old who are experiencing malocclusion. In addition the prevalence of
malocclusion in Saudi Arabia is about 87.5% based on the study conducted by Basyuni et. al.
This is due to the recruited diseased infants due to sickle cell disease which it lead to
craniofacial abnormalities. Furthermore there are about 33% of Indian children aged between 12
to 15 years old has malocclusion and is in need for orthodontic treatment. Malocclusion can also
be asscociated with bottle feeding in which 32% of the Brazilian school children is experiencing
malocclusion (Corrêa-Faria., et al ). According to Matya et. al in Tanzania there 64% of the
school children has atlears one type of malocclusion. Also Class 1 malocclusion was affecting
93% of the children in Tanzania. It is also stated by Zhou, X. et al. that there is no significant
difference in malocclusion prevalence between male and female. Furthermore, the other
prevalence of malocclusion is seen in most school age children, the age of patient and also it is
common in every individual in that country.
Malocclusion can be a major issue for both the patient and the dentist in which early
treatments and management is one of the preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment to
reduce the severity of malocclusion. In terms of children it should be detected earlier during the
child’s active growth. Thus, early treatments are done to assess skeletal development and
correction or early interception. The treatment of malocclusion depend on the type of
malocclusion for the class 1 malocclusion, orthodontics is used to treat this type. Class 2
malocclusion is treated using appliances and headgear. Non-extraction techniques is also used
specially for the correction of the deep overbite. For the class 3 malocclusion surgery is favored
to patients who really needs restoration such as maxillary malposition.
Occlusion and malocclusion are both overlooked in terms of our oral health. It not just
about the contact between the opposing teeth but also the bones components of the mouth. It
needs early detection since malocclusion is mostly seen on school age children. Thus when
malocclusion is detected it is important to seek help from a professional so that the severity of
malocclusion will be managed.

Reaction
The article stated at the beginning that dental occlusion and malocclusion are the two
occurrence in our oral health that overlooked or taken for granted despite its importance. This is
true since most of us specially those who does not access to seek for a professional does not
really pay attention on our oral health and what we always think that tooth brushing is for us
enough to keep our teeth health. Malocclusion for some is just normal and there are no
underlying factors that if malocclusion is left neglected or unattended it may lead to a severe
problem. Also our oral health shows a grasp of our over-all well-being. According to the article
that it is important to have early detection of malocclusion since most of the population being
affected by these occurrence are school-age children in which it is the time when they are still
developing. Also this is the time that it can easily be managed and corrected.
Upon reading this article I was able to realize the importance or our oral health and why we
should not neglect any changes that is happening. I understand the importance of seeing your
dentist once in a while to check if there are any arising problems in your oral health. By this we
can easily detect any abnormalities happening specially malocclusion that needs early detection
and treatment for it to not cause severe oral problems. Most of us here in the Philippines
specially those that cannot afford to seek professional help may just see malocclusion as
something that is not serious. That is why we tend to not pay attention to it that is why people
with malocclusion is also experiencing dental carries and gum disease in the long run. In
addition, having an oral problem can lead to different health related problems in the long run that
is why it is important to pay a good attention to our oral health because it is somehow represents
of how we are taking care of our health.
Personally, I experienced malocclusion which the class I, in which I have wear braces for
about 2 years to fix it. I did not gave attention with my malocclusion at first beause for me I think
it is just normal and it could change in the long run since my permanent are not yet complete.
Leaving unattended forced us to spend money for my braces which in the first place it could still
be fixed through wearing retainers which is less expensive. I have friends who are experiencing
malocclusion but I did not know that it is called malocclusion after I read about it. As I have
observed my friends who is experiencing crowding and his teeth are not on the same length also
some of them are sharp. My other friend is experiencing open bite, that is the time when he
closes he mouth there is a space between his upper and lower teeth. Lastly my other friend has
prognathic lower jaw which his lower jaw or chin extended. As I have observed the three of them
are experiencing dental problems like tooth decay which is one of the consequences or effects
that a person who has malocclusion. Specially on my friend who has an over crowding of the
tooth in which tooth decay very visible. While my friend who has a prognathic jaw he is now
wearing dentures. In terms on how they feel, I have not asked them about it since in lay man
term it is just called “sungki” that is why most of us specially those who lack knowledge about
this would think that this phenomenon is normal. That is why this study is important specially in
countries or provinces that lacks the resources in order to plan out essential inputs I public
health planning. Coming from a person who experienced malocclusion, I can say that it is really
important to have early detection or it should be a habit to visit the dentist to prevent it right
away.
As said earlier this kind of article is important specially in those countries who lacks the
resources, it is important to educate the people about malocclusion because of the people living
in the province tend to not see malocclusion as a problem that maybe lead to another problem.
Also oral health is very important because there are many factors that maybe affected in the
long run when our oral health is not healthy . Oral health is important and one of the main source
of our survival. The article also emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment and
also it is important when treating malocclusion it should be in accordance to the person’s gender,
age, urbanization and including needs of the person.
In line with the nursing profession, this article is helpful for us since it gives us knowledge
about the etiology or causes of why malocclusion is present. This is also helpful in doing
assessments since we are to check the different parts f the body including the mouth. So when
we are inspecting or assessing we can note or use the the different classes of malocclusion for
us to determine the severity and needs of the patient. Also as a nurse, we are to give health
teachings to our client on how they should take care there oral health since malocclusion can
also lead to another problem like dental carries specially to those client who does not easy
access to health professionals. By this we can be able to expand the knowledge of our clients
about the importance of oral health and at the same time give them awareness about the
different factors and problems that we may encounter if we left our oral health neglected.