Overjet, Lip Coverage, and Obesity as Risk Factors Related to Traumatic Dental Injuries in Brazilian Schoolchildren

Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to analyse wether overjet, lip coverage and obesity represented risk factors associated to the occurrence of dental trauma in the permanent anterior teeth of schoolchildren in Recife, Brazil. Methods: It included a random sample of 116 boys and girls aged 12 years, attending both public and private schools. Data were collected through clinical examinations and interviews. Dental trauma was classified according to ANDREASEN’s criteria (1981). Overjet was considered as risk factor when it presented values higher than 5mm. Lip coverage was classified as adequate or inadequate, while obesity was considered according to NCHS procedures for the assessment of nutritional status. The examinations were standardized and it was pointed out the necessary cares in order to get the data (calibration). Results: The prevalence of dental injuries was 23.3%. Boys experienced more injuries than girls, 30% and 16.1%, respectively (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between traumatic dental injuries and overjet (p<0.05) and between traumatic dental injuries and lip coverage (p=0.000). No statistical significant differences were found when obesity and dental trauma were analyzed (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that being a boy and presenting an increased overjet and an inadequate lip coverage increases the risk for traumatic dental injuries. Obesity was not a risk factor for dental trauma in this sample.