ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ORAL HABITS AND DENTAL OCCLUSION PATTERNS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN IN NORTH EASTERN MEXICO

Overview

This cross-sectional investigation examined the relationship between non-functional oral habits and dental occlusion patterns in a pediatric population from northeastern Mexico. Dental malocclusion represents a prevalent developmental alteration in childhood populations, with etiology attributed to both genetic predisposition and environmental determinants. Among environmental factors, non-functional oral habits constitute a significant contributor to malocclusion when these behaviors persist beyond three to four years of age and extend into the period of permanent dentition eruption. Prolonged maintenance of such habits has been documented to compromise dental structural harmony, oral musculature function, and occlusal relationships. The study focused on establishing associations between specific oral habits and occlusion classifications in school-aged children within this geographic region.

Methods and approach

The research employed a cross-sectional design involving 150 school-aged children recruited from the northeastern Mexico region. Data collection utilized a dual methodology combining parental reporting and clinical examination. A validated questionnaire instrument was administered to parents or guardians to identify the presence and characteristics of oral habits in the child participants. Clinical assessment of dental occlusion was performed through direct examination, with molar relationships classified according to Angle's classification system. This approach enabled standardized categorization of occlusal patterns and facilitated systematic comparison with reported oral habit data.

Key Findings

The full-text extract provided does not contain specific quantitative findings or statistical outcomes from the study. The documented material includes methodological framework and study objectives but does not present data regarding prevalence rates of specific oral habits, distribution of Angle classifications within the sample, measures of association between habits and occlusion patterns, or statistical significance of observed relationships.

Implications

The investigation contributes to the epidemiological understanding of malocclusion determinants in pediatric populations within the northeastern Mexico context. Establishment of associations between non-functional oral habits and specific occlusion patterns could inform preventive orthodontic strategies and early intervention protocols in pediatric dental practice. The use of parental questionnaires combined with standardized clinical assessment provides a methodological framework applicable to surveillance programs targeting developmental dental anomalies. Regional data on habit-occlusion relationships may support targeted public health initiatives addressing modifiable risk factors for malocclusion in school-aged populations.