Prevalence and Distribution of Malocclusion Using Dewey’s Modification in Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of malocclusion among the coastal Andhra Pradesh population in south India. Materials and methods: The present study has a retrospective cross-sectional study design done on orthodontic records of patients who attended the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Rajamahendravaram, India. Angle’s classification and Dewey’s modification were used to assess the distribution and pattern of malocclusion in patients. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test. Results: The distribution of Angle’s Class I malocclusion (67%) was more common than Angle’s Class II malocclusion (30.1%) and Angle’s Class III malocclusion (2.1%). The distribution of Class II division 1 was 23.2%, whereas Class II division 2 was 2.1% and Class II subdivision was 5.6%. Gender distribution according to Angle’s classification exhibited a statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.001). Dewey’s Class I type 2 was identified as maximum with 43.6% but no statistically significant gender distribution was reported. Conclusion: Angle's class I malocclusion was more prevalent with a distribution of 67%, followed by Class II malocclusion (30.1%) and Class III malocclusion (2.1%). A significant number of female patients were reported with Class I and Class II malocclusion whereas Class III malocclusion was predominately seen in males. It was noticed that, among all the malocclusions, Dewey’s Class I type 2 was observed to be maximum but no significant gender distribution was observed.