Research Article: Cross-Bite and Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in Preadolescents Aged 11 to 14 Years Old: A Pilot Case-Control Study
Abstract:
Introduction: Malocclusions have a negative impact on oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Posterior cross-bite is one of the most prevalent malocclusions in the preadolescent population. This study investigated the influence of posterior cross-bites (unilateral or bilateral) on OHRQoL in an 11- to 14-year-old population. Materials and Methods: A pilot case–control study was carried out at the Dental Clinic of the University of Salamanca between 2021 and 2023. A consecutive sample of 120 preadolescent patients aged 11 to 14 years old was recruited. Three groups were analyzed: a control group (no posterior cross-bite) (n = 40), a group with unilateral posterior cross-bite (n = 40), and a group with bilateral posterior cross-bite (n = 40). To analyze the OHRQoL, the Spanish version of the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ-Esp11–14) was used. Results: The mean age of the sample was 12.2 years old (±0.96 years). The group of patients with a bilateral posterior cross-bite was shown to have higher scores in all dimensions of the CPQ-Esp11–14, as well as a higher total score. Sex only influenced the oral symptom dimension of the CPQ-Esp11–14 questionnaire; in this dimension, the girls described a greater impact. Age did not influence OHRQoL. Conclusion: The presence of a posterior cross-bite had a negative impact on OHRQoL in the preadolescent population that was studied.
Introduction:
Malocclusions are some of the most prevalent oral conditions in childhood. Of the different types of malocclusions, the posterior cross-bite is one of the most common [1]. The onset of a posterior cross-bite is usually seen in temporary and mixed dentition. The prevalence of posterior cross-bites ranges from 7.5% to 22% according to different authors [2,3,4]. This prevalence differs depending on the region analyzed. The prevalence of posterior cross-bites in children and adolescents is 4% on average in Europe and…
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