Prevalent Malocclusion Risks in Mixed Dentition Period Children with Untreated Traumatic Dental Injuries – An Evaluation of Central Indian Population

Abstract Introduction: Dental trauma during childhood can result in lifelong impacts on a child’s well-being. These consequences may include speech defects, emotional stress, and alterations in physical appearance, all of which can significantly affect the overall quality of a child’s life. The objective of this prospective study, which collected diverse epidemiological data on traumatic dental injuries (TDI) within the central Indian population, was to assess whether a particular sample of school and slum-dwelling children with developing angle’s Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusion. Materials and Methods: A total of 1871 children, ranging in age from 8 to 12 years and including both those with and without malocclusion, underwent examination within a private school and various slum areas through an examination camp in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. From this population, 314 individuals were identified TDI constituting our study sample. Of these participants, 211 were boys and 103 were girls. Our study sample encompassed all cases of developing Angle’s Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusion. Results: The study found a 16.7% prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) among 8–12-year-old children in central India. Analysis of 314 cases indicated a significant correlation between various types of malocclusion and TDI. A Chi-square test (χ 2 ≈ 35.32) with a P < 0.001 confirmed this association. Boys exhibited a higher prevalence of TDI, with incidence increasing across age groups. In addition, the most commonly affected tooth was the maxillary central incisor. Conclusion: The correlation between traumatic dental injuries (TDI) and factors such as large overjet or proclined teeth, open bite, bimax, and spacing highlights the multifaceted nature of dental trauma. This underscores the importance for clinicians and researchers to recognize dental occlusion and alignment as significant contributors to TDI risk.