Prevalence of dental and occlusal anomalies in Swedish conscripts

Abstract

Abstract

The number of teeth, the frequency of dentitional, space and occlusal anomalies and the need of orthodontic treatment was studied in 301 Swedish men from the west and south of Sweden with a mean age of 18 years 8 months. Dentitional anomalies (abnormal number and morphology of the teeth and positional anomalies of front teeth) as well as crowding, spacing of the teeth and occlusal anomalies were noted. The objective need of treatment was judged according to a 5-grade scale. The number of missing teeth (exclusive of third molars) was, on the average, 0.8 per individual. Dentitional anomalies were recorded in about 35 % of the individuals and space anomalies in 52 %, while the frequency of occlusal anomalies was about 65 %. About 60 % of the individuals were judged as beeing in need of some form of orthodontic treatment. The need of treatment was small in about 30 %, while about 20 % had a more substantial need and almost 10 % severe need.