Prevalence of Malocclusion and Dental Anomalies in Tanzanian Orthodontic Patients

Background: Dental anomalies often result in malocclusion, and may complicate orthodontic treatment. Information about the relationship between dental anomalies and malocclusion is scarce. The current study aimed to examine the prevalence of malocclusion and dental anomalies in Tanzanian orthodontic patients. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study, involving orthodontic patients. Clinical and radiographical examinations were done to all participants. The relationship between malocclusion and dental anomalies was assessed by using a Chi-square test. The p-value for statistical significance was set at p<0.05, with 95% Confidence Interval. Results: A total of 390 orthodontic patients were enrolled. Majority of the participants (55.9%) were between 12-18 years. Most of the participants had Class I malocclusion (85.6%). Overall prevalence of dental anomalies was 45.9%, with 37.4% having one dental anomaly and 8.5% having more than one. Ectopic eruption was the commonest dental anomaly (observed in 18.2% of participants), it was recorded more in males (24.3%) than in females (14.9%) (p=0.02), and more in younger than in older participants (24.8% versus 10.5%, p=0.01). Tooth impaction was the second commonest anomaly (observed in 11.8% of the participants), it was recorded more in younger patients (15.6%) than in older ones (7.0%) (p=0.01). The dental anomalies had no significant associations with malocclusion. Conclusion: Most of the participants had Class I malocclusion, almost half had at least one dental anomaly. More males than females had ectopic eruptions, and more younger participants than older ones had tooth impaction. There was no significant association between malocclusion and dental anomalies. Clinicians should consider the occurrence of dental anomalies, when managing orthodontic patients.