Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study was done to better understand patterns, trends and local distribution patterns of malocclusion so that we can provide adequate information to patients, to help make the appropriate diagnosis and therapeutic plans, and to assess the future directions of malocclusion treatment. MATERILAS AND METHODS: Malocclusion patterns, distribution and trends of visiting patients were examined in 993 malocclusion patients who had been evaluated and diagnosed at the Department of Dentistry, Yeungnam University Hospital over a 10-year period from 1995 to 2004. RESULTS: The number of visiting patients per year showed an increasing trend and the visit rate was 1.28 time-higher in females(56.1%) than in males(43.9%). Age distribution showed that the 7-12 year-old group was the largest (36.7%). Geographic distribution showed the majority of patients were from the Dalseo district(28.2%). Angle's malocclusion classification revealed that class III was the largest(38.4%). Crowding was the chief complaint in the highest percentage of patients(33.9%). The therapeutic method used was the fixed appliance in 61% of cases and a combination with extraction in 30.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of dental services can accommodate orthodontic needs adequately as well as obtain reliable quantitative information regarding the characteristics of orthodontic patients.

• Keywords: Orthodontic patients;Malocclusion