Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine - Department of Orthodontics

Identifying the patients at high risk for dental caries is an important procedure in orthodontic practice. Hafez et al. (2012) found a contradictory studies that evaluated the relationship between malocclusion and dental caries. Accordingly, the aim of the study was to compare the count of cariogenic pathogens in caries-positive versus caries-free adolescents. The secondary aim was to correlate malocclusion with dental caries and with cariogenic pathogens count. 7Ninety six subjects in the age range of 12-19 years old were recruited and classified into two groups; caries-positive and caries-free groups. Age, sex and socioeconomic status were matched in the two groups. Caries-positive and caries-free groups were compared as regard to count of cariogenic pathogens, severity and type of malocclusion, and plaque index. Correlations between malocclusion (severity and type) and cariogenic pathogens count were done in each group (caries-positive and caries-free groups) and also correlations between malocclusion and plaque index were done in each group. 8The results showed that there was a significant difference between caries-positive and caries-free groups in the count of Lactobacilli (odds ratio = 2.9) and Candida (odds ratio = 3.4). Also, there was a significant difference between the two groups in plaque index. In spite that dental caries (DMFT) had no correlation with malocclusion (DAI), yet it was found that cariogenic microorganisms such as, Actinomyces, Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli were significantly correlated to malocclusion conditions. Actinomyces had a correlation with malocclusion severity (DAI). Mutans streptococci had a correlation with malocclusion types such as vertical anterior openbite and largest anterior maxillary irregularity

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