Evaluation of Primary Dental Occlusion among Breastfed Children

The impact of different patterns of infant feeding on primary dentition is controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of prolonged breast or bottle feeding on occlusion in primary dentition. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 316 children aged 4-5 years. Occlusal relationship, overjet, overbite, and crossbite were evaluated by direct observation in sitting position, under natural light. The information on feeding pattern was gathered using a questionnaire completed by mothers. Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA tests were used for statistical analysis. A significant relationship was observed between bottle feeding and both increased overjet (P-value =0.04) and distal step occlusion (P-value=0.001). Neither the duration of breast or bottle feeding nor the frequency had a significant impact on occlusion. In this study children who were breastfed showed more normal overjet and mesial step molar relationship