Early risk factors for posterior crossbite and anterior open bite in the primary dentition.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate risk factors specific to posterior crossbite and anterior open bite at the age of 3 years.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study included 422 children of the French EDEN mother-child cohort. The main outcomes were the presence of posterior crossbite and anterior open bite assessed by dentists at 3 years. Social characteristics (collected during pregnancy), neonatal characteristics (collected at birth), duration of breast-feeding (collected prospectively), sucking habits at 3 years, and open lips (as a proxy for mouth breathing) were studied and two logistic regressions conducted.

RESULTS

Preterm birth appears to be a risk factor specific for posterior crossbite (OR: 3.13; 95% CI: 1.13-8.68), whereas small for gestational age seems to be associated with a lower risk of posterior crossbite (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.12-0.87). Ongoing pacifier or thumb sucking at 3 years is a risk factor for both posterior crossbite and anterior open bite.

CONCLUSIONS

Children born preterm seem to be more at risk for posterior crossbite than those born at term. Different mechanisms may be involved in posterior crossbite and anterior open bite.