Common dental diseases in children and malocclusion

Abstract

Malocclusion is a worldwide dental problem that influences the affected individuals to varying degrees. Many factors contribute to the anomaly in dentition, including hereditary and environmental aspects. Dental caries, pulpal and periapical lesions, dental trauma, abnormality of development, and oral habits are most common dental diseases in children that strongly relate to malocclusion. Management of oral health in the early childhood stage is carried out in clinic work of pediatric dentistry to minimize the unwanted effect of these diseases on dentition. This article highlights these diseases and their impacts on malocclusion in sequence. Prevention, treatment, and management of these conditions are also illustrated in order to achieve successful oral health for children and adolescents, even for their adult stage.

Fig. 1

Severe decay of the first and second mandibular primary molars, intraoral arch length decreased

Fig. 2

Severe periapical infection of lower right primary teeth caused displacement of lower right 2nd premolar, inducing ectopic eruption

Fig. 3

Impaction of maxillary right central incisor (left), X ray film shows the dilacerated tooth (right)

Fig. 4

Supernumerary teeth in the area of maxillary anterior teeth resulted in a large gap and rotation of the right upper incisor; Left, intraoral photograph; Right, Radiographic illustration

Fig. 5

Ectopic eruption of the maxillary left first permanent molar, loss of the upper left second primary molar; Left, intraoral photograph; Right, Radiographic illustration

Fig. 6

Retention of mandibular primary incisor caused ectopic lingual eruption of mandibular permanent incisor

Fig. 7

Delayed exfoliation of maxillary right primary incisor caused ectopic palatal eruption of maxillary right incisor, crossbite formed

Fig. 8

Thumb sucking and deformation of the thumb