Malocclusion in subjects with beta-thalassemia major

Abstract

Introduction: Introduction: Beta-thalassemia major is a hemolytic anemia. If these patients are not treated, bone marrow hyperplasia will happen. Hematopoiesis in the jaw results in mandibular and/or maxillary enlargement. To our knowledge, there are few studies about frequency of malocclusion in these patients. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the frequency of malocclusion in beta-thalassemia patients and compare it to healthy control group. Materials and Methods: This research was a cross sectional study. Seventy beta-thalassemia patients and 70 healthy controls (age and sex matched) were examined for malocclusion using Angle classification, WHO malocclusion classification, determination of overjet and overbite. If crossbite, spacing, openbite, crowding and mouth breathing were observed in clinical examination they were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square and Variants analysis. Results: Beta-thalassemia patients showed class II malocclusion (angle classification) and grade 2 (WHO classification) more than healthy control group. There were significant differences in angle & WHO malocclusion classification between two groups (P