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The cover story, "Malocclusion Traits and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Children With Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Cross-Sectional Study," looked at the self-reported responses of 138 children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta to the Child Perceptions Questionnaire, a questionnaire developed to measure the general oral health-related quality of life of children.
Children aged 8-10 had similar questionnaire scores whether they had malocclusion traits caused by osteogenesis imperfecta or not. However, those aged 11-14 with malocclusion reported they experienced higher degrees of functional limitations and worse oral symptoms than those without those traits. The difference between children and adolescents could be because malocclusion worsens with growth, according to the study.
The study also found adolescents reported malocclusion had more of an effect on function and oral symptoms than on emotional and social well-being.
"The results of our study show that malocclusion has its most negative impact on the functional domain of oral health-related quality of life in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta," said Dr. Mohammadamin Najirad, corresponding author and Master of Science trainee at McGill University in Montreal. "Moreover, adolescent patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and posterior open bites or crossbites have substantial self-reported functional limitations, which warrants additional investigation and therapeutic trials to improve the malocclusion, obtain a functional occlusion and consequently enhance their oral health-related quality of life."
Enhancing masticatory performance by increasing the number and area of occlusal contacts via orthodontic, surgical and prosthetic interventions is one way to help improve the functional and physical effects of malocclusion on participants’ oral health-related quality of life, according to the study.
However, more studies are needed to better assess the feasibility of orthodontic intervention and the response of the bone and periodontal ligament in people with osteogenesis imperfecta to orthodontic forces. The study found questionnaires specifically designed to assess the impact of malocclusion on participants' oral health-related quality of life could be used in a clinical trial to assess the impact of orthodontic interventions.
Other articles in the July issue of JADA discuss diet drinks and dental caries in children, combustible and electronic cigarette use, and differences among aging populations.
Every month, JADA articles are published online at JADA.ADA.org in advance of the print publication.