Dental practitioners perception of the care of patients with Angle II malocclusions

Abstract

Introduction: malocclusion is considered one of the most common oral health problems. Objective: to describe the perception of dentists on Angle type II malocclusions. Methods: observational, descriptive, longitudinal and cross-sectional study of dentists in private practice in Santo Domingo, Ecuador during the year 2022. The sample consisted of 9 dentists. A semi-structured survey was used to collect the information, and descriptive statistics were used to study the data. Results: 33,33 % of the dentists reported that the function of orthodontics in the face of malocclusions was to act on oral health and the temporomandibular joint, and 22,23 % reported occlusal stability. One hundred percent considered malocclusions as a condition with an impact on oral and respiratory health. Seventy-seven percent considered making the diagnosis in childhood between the ages of 6 and 11 years. 100 % reported identifying low self-esteem in their patients and 10 % reported feelings of anger or rage. Conclusions: Angle class II malocclusions constitute an entity that requires intervention to preserve oral and temporomandibular joint health, as well as respiratory physiology. It should be identified from an early age, avoiding both physical and psychological repercussions.

Keywords

• maloclusión
• percepción
• odontólogos
• salud bucal
• articulación temporomandibular.