Characteristics of dental malocclusion in a 18th/19th century population from Radom (Poland).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess the diachronicity of factors that produce malocclusion from the 18th century to the present.

MATERIALS: A total of 74 adult individuals Radom (Poland) of both sexes were examined (males: 46, females: 28).

METHODS

The skulls were grouped according to the type of malocclusion found: i) anterio-posterior (skeletal Class I/II/III), ii) transverse (cross bite/scissor bite), and iii) vertical (open bite/deep bite).

RESULTS

Normal bites were recorded in 14 % (10/74) of the study group. Malocclusion was observed in the remaining cases (64/74, 86 %). Class I was diagnosed most often (53 %), and Class III (8 %) was the least common in the study group.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed order of frequency of Angle's Classes (I > II > III) in the population from Radom indicates malocclusion was similar to that of the contemporary population. In the population from Radom, similar to other contemporary European populations, Class II defects were found at a higher frequency than Class III defects.

SIGNIFICANCE: The research demonstrates the diachronic nature of the factors that produce different types of malocclusion in Polish populations over the past four centuries, even if these factors cannot be identified.

LIMITATION: The main limitation of this research is the relatively small sample size.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Future studies should evaluate malocclusion in older populations from Radom and other areas of Poland and Europe.