Title
Association of early childhood caries and malocclusion patterns: A pedodontic-orthodontic perspective
Authors
Jnana Ranjan Swain1, Chilukuri Raghuram2,*, K. Naveena Vyshnavi3, Sugandha Sharma4, Lata Kumari5 & Anushi Mehandiratta5
Affiliation
1Department of Pediatrics and Preventive Dentistry, Institute of Dental Sciences, Siksha O Anusandhan (Deemed to be) University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; 2Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Practitioner at Shirdi Sai Multi Speciality Dental Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; 3Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Government dental college, Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh, India; 4Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Consultant, Lather Dental Clinic and Implant Centre, Bhiwani, Haryana, India; 5Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, SGT Dental College and Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India; *Corresponding author
Jnana Ranjan Swain - E-mail: jnanaranjanswain@soa.ac.in
Chilukuri Raghuram - E-mail: raghudrchilukuri@gmail.com; chilukuridental@srisaimultispecialitydentalclinic.com
K. Naveena Vyshnavi - E-mail: naveenakandepu23@gmail.com
Sugandha Sharma - E-mail: sugandhasharma333@gmail.com
Lata Kumari - E-mail: latatanwar111@gmail.com
Anushi Mehandiratta - E-mail: anu.meh101@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received June 1, 2026; Revised June 30, 2026; Accepted June 30, 2026, Published June 30, 2026
Abstract
Early childhood caries (ECC) is a major pediatric oral health problem that may adversely affect normal occlusal and craniofacial development in children. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the relationship between early childhood caries (ECC) and developing malocclusion patterns in young children. A cross-sectional pedodontic–orthodontic assessment was conducted to determine how caries severity influences occlusal development. Findings show a significant association between severe ECC and malocclusions such as increased overjet, crossbite and anterior open bite. Behavioral and dietary factors further contributed to this relationship. Early preventive intervention and integrated dental care are essential to reduce long-term developmental issues.
Keywords
Early childhood caries (ECC), malocclusion, pediatric dentistry, occlusal development, risk factors
Citation
Swain et al. Bioinformation 22(6): 3697-3701 (2026)
Edited by
Rashmi Laddha
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
