CHARACTERISTICS OF ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS IN DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY DENTAL HOSPITAL

Distribution of orthodontic patients in pediatric dental clinics has increased recently. So it is worth to study about the present status of orthodontic patients in pediatric dental clinics. The purpose of this study was to recognize the characteristics and orthodontic patterns of orthodontic patients in pediatric dental clinics. The material consisted of distribution and orthodontic analysis records of 792 new patients in the department of pediatric dentistry, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, from 2006 to 2008. Results were as follows 1. In age distribution, 8-year-olds group comprised 22%, 7-year-olds 19%, 9-year-olds 16%, 10-year olds 15%, 11-year-olds 11%, and other age groups comprised 18%. 2. In skeletal patterns, skeletal class I patients comprised 52%, class II 29%, and class III 19%. 3. In vertical facial types mesofacial comprised 41%, brachyfacial 35%, and dolichofacial 24%. 4. Out of 792 patients 218 patients(28%) showed anterior cross-bite, and the occurrence ratio of anterior cross-bite increased as the age decreased.