Prevalence of Malocclusion in Prehistoric, Iron Age, Medieval, and Bronze Age Populations: A Systematic Review

Malocclusion is a condition characterized by misalignment of the teeth and jaws that affects oral function and oral health. Although extensively studied in modern contexts, its patterns in historical populations remain poorly characterized. A systematic review was conducted using three databases to collect relevant articles through a systematic search, following PRISMA guidelines on the prevalence of malocclusion in the prehistoric, Iron Age, Medieval, and Bronze Ages. Risk bias assessment was done using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. A total of 831 initially identified records, only eight studies met the criteria for final inclusion. The result shows a different pattern of malocclusion across different populations. The observed variations underscore the influence of genetic and environmental factors on malocclusion through different eras, warranting further bioarchaeological studies to enhance understanding of malocclusion trends across historical populations.