The severity of malocclusion and need for orthodontic treatment in correspondence with the age

Awareness of the age related situation as to the malocclusion prevalence in population and orthodontic treatment need is very important and useful for planning an orthodontic care, especially taking into account the interdisciplinary aspect of the problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of severity of malocclusion and the need of orthodontic treatment in three different age groups of population in Latvia. The study group comprised samples of 12-13-yr-olds (n=46), 18-yr-olds (n=32) and 35-44-yr-olds (n=278). The Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON) was used for the assessment of the results. In order to provide the accuracy use of ICON, more than 4 missing teeth and prosthetic restorations were chosen as an exclusion factor for the age group 35-44 years. A statistically significant difference was determined between the mean ICON values in 12-13 and 18 year-old age groups. Professionally defined orthodontic treatment need according to ICON score >43 was determined to be higher in the age group 18 year-olds. Overall, the tendency for orthodontic treatment complexity grade was observed to increase with the age.