Malocclusion in subjects with beta-thalassemia major

Beta-thalassemia major is a hemolytic anemia. If these patients are not treated, bone marrow hyperplasia will happen. Hematopoiesis in the jaw results in mandibular and/or maxillary enlargement. To our knowledge, there are few studies about frequency of malocclusion in these patients. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the frequency of malocclusion in beta-thalassemia patients and compare it to healthy control group. This research was a cross sectional study. Seventy beta-thalassemia patients and 70 healthy controls (age and sex matched) were examined for malocclusion using Angle classification, WHO malocclusion classification, determination of overjet and overbite. If crossbite, spacing, openbite, crowding and mouth breathing were observed in clinical examination they were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square and Variants analysis. Beta-thalassemia patients showed class II malocclusion (angle classification) and grade 2 (WHO classification) more than healthy control group. There were significant differences in angle & WHO malocclusion classification between two groups (P<0.05). Increased overjet and mouth breathing were seen in patients more than healthy control group. There were significant differences in overjet and mouth breathing between two groups (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between WHO malocclusion classification and serum ferritin levels, but not between angle malocclusion classification, overjet and serum ferritin levels. Beta-thalassemia major is associated with increased malocclusion and these anomalies will occur if the patients are not treated early. Patients with malocclusion should be visited and followed up by a dentist for dental problems. Fortunately, as a result of new treatments these patients live longer than before. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to their functional and esthetical problems.