Distribution of School Children Based on the Type of Terminal Plane in Primary Dentition: A Study among 3- to 5-year-old Children in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of primary malocclusion among school children under 5 years of age in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 814 school children under 5 years were selected from 5 government and 5 private schools in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India, and their occlusion was recorded based on the terminal planes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. Frequency distribution and Chi-square test were carried out. RESULTS: The most common occlusion seen in the present study was flush terminal plane (54.05%). Of them, 43.73% had mesial step and 2.08% had distal step. There was no significant difference between males and females. CONCLUSION: The signs of future malocclusion are found to be high. Hence, early preventive and interceptive measures are necessary to reduce the prevalence of future developing malocclusion and further adverse effects. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Anu V, Pavani B, Pavani D, et al. Distribution of School Children Based on the Type of Terminal Plane in Primary Dentition: A Study among 3- to 5-year-old Children in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(2):136–137.