The effect of nutritional status on arch width and length of primary teeth among five years old kindergarten children

Abstract

Background: In human life, malnutrition may adversely affect various aspects of growth at different stages of life. Teethare particularly sensitive to malnutrition. Malnutrition may affect odontometeric measurement involving arch width andlength of primary dentition. The aim of this study is to estimate the effect of nutrition on arch width and length dimensionmeasurements among children aged 5 years old.Material and methods: This study was conducted among malnourished group in comparison to well-nourished groupmatching with age and gender. The present study included 158 children aged 5 years (78 malnourished and 80 wellnourished).The assessment of nutritional status was done by using three nutritional indicators, namely Height-for-age,Weight-for-age and Weight-for-height. Odontometeric measurements including two different orientations. For bothupper and lower study models, photographs were taken using special photographic apparatus for each child, and thedata were then analyzed using special computer software. For primary dentitions, two linear measurements (intercaninedistance and inter-molar distance) were utilized, representing arch measurements.Results: As for primary dentitions, all means value of maxillary and mandible arch width and length were lower amongmalnourished group than well-nourished group with statistically highly significant except for both inter-canine distance ofmaxillary and mandibular, maxillary anterior arch length and mandibular molar vertical length.Conclusion: Malnutrition effect on minimize the odontometric measurements (dental arch width, dental arch length)among children aged 5 years