Prevalence and Factors Associated with Dentofacial Characteristics of Malocclusion among Saudi Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: The study aimed to explore the prevalence of malocclusion characteristics in Saudi adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to examine 350 adult patients attending King Abdulaziz Medical City of the National Guard Health Affairs. Data were obtained by self-reported questionnaires and clinical dental examinations. Questionnaires comprised of sociodemographic and oral habits. The clinical dental examination was based on the Basic Methods of the World Health Organization criteria for dentofacial anomalies (1997). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Regarding oral habits; 6% reported thumb sucking, 11% tongue thrusting, 42% mouth breathing and 5.7% had speech problems. The prevalence of dentofacial characteristics of malocclusion was found as follows: 41.5% had crowded in the anterior teeth, 31.4% , had spacing in the anterior teeth, 16.6% had Diastema, 49.7% had teeth irregularities, 42.5% had overjet, 18.3% had anterior crossbites and 31.1% had anterior open bite. The risk indicators for crowding were age and gender; for spacing were education, tongue thrusting, and speech problem; for Diastema was education; for teeth irregularities was mouth breathing; and for crossbite were thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing. No risk indicators were associated with anterior overjet and open bite. Conclusion: The prevalence of dentofacial characteristics of malocclusion ranged from 17-50%. The prevalence of oral habits that might cause malocclusion varied from 6% to 44%. Age, gender, education, tongue thrusting, speech problem, mouth breathing; and thumb sucking were risk indicators for malocclusion characteristics.