Prevalence of Malocclusion and Its Relation with Crowding and Spacing

Study was carried out to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and its relation with crowding and spacing in orthodontically referred patients in a Karachi sample. 1082 patients were examined (362 males and 720 females) over the period of three years. Malocclusion was categorized according to Angles classification. Study model of each subject was used to assess crowding & spacing in both maxillary and mandibular dentition. Chi Square test was used to find relationship of crowding & spacing with different categories of malocclusion. Class II division 1 was most prevalent type of malocclusion (32%). Relation of maxillary & mandibular crowding or spacing with different categories of malocclusion was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Mild maxillary crowding, mild mandibular crowding & mild mandibular spacing were most common finding in all malocclusion categories. Except for Class III malocclusion category, where moderate maxillary spacing was more prevalent, mild maxillary spacing was most frequently observed in remaining categories. Class II was most prevalent category of malocclusion. Relationship of crowding & spacing with different malocclusion categories was statistically significant. These results do not necessarily reflect the trend of entire Pakistani population as study was conducted in southern Pakistani population.