Evaluation of a relationship between malocclusion and idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents

PURPOSE: Idiopathic scoliosis is a developmental deformation of the vertebral column of an unknown aetiology. Its clinical symptoms and hypothetical causative factors may affect the stomatognathic system. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationships between the prevalence and type of malocclusions, and the presence of idiopathic scoliosis, its location and severity. METHODS: This was a prospective longitudinal study. The study group consisted of 80 patients with idiopathic scoliosis and the control group of 61 healthy individuals. Standard standing long-cassette radiographs were taken of all of the patients in the idiopathic scoliosis group in order to confirm diagnosis, to determine localization and the Cobb angle of the curve. Both groups underwent standard clinical dental examination. RESULTS: The most commonly observed types included right main thoracic (R-MT) and thoracolumbar or left lumbar scoliosis (Cobb angle 11° to 125°). In the idiopathic scoliosis group, prevalence of malocclusions was greater than in the control group (95% versus 82%). In the idiopathic scoliosis group more than one type of malocclusion was observed with a higher incidence than that in the control group (63.8% versus 37.7%; p = 0.002). A correlation between the left proximal thoracic (L-PT) curve with anterior partial open bite was demonstrated (p = 0.323), between thoracic dextroscoliosis main thoracic with lateral partial cross bite (p = 0.230) and a correlation between scoliosis severity and malocclusion in the event of L-PT and anterior partial open bite (p = 0.330) and R-MT and scissors bite (p = 0.248). CONCLUSION: The incidence of malocclusions is greater in children with idiopathic scoliosis than in their healthy peers LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III