Malocclusion can negatively affect the self-image, function and quality of life of individuals of all ages. In addition, correction of malocclusions often requires expensive, time-consuming treatment. While many malocclusions are inherited traits or have unknown etiologies, a number of studies during the past 30 years have suggested that non- nutritive sucking habits, such as pacifier use and digit sucking in infancy and early childhood, may cause some malocclusions. More recent studies have indicated that breast-feeding in infancy may help to prevent such problems. However, nearly all of these studies have used limited retrospective designs, and very few have longitudinally assessed these developmental consequences of behavior as they relate to the mixed or permanent dentition. The proposed project will assess the impact of longitudinally-gathered non-nutritive sucking and infant feeding pattern data on the development of dental arch characteristics in deciduous dentition, as a prelude to study of the mixed dentition. It will utilize a defined birth cohort of over 450 children who will be between 4 3/4 and 5 1/2 years during the examination phase of the study period. These children were recruited for The Iowa Fluoride Study, a prospective study of fluoride exposures and dental fluorosis. Parents have already reported on children's feeding habits and non-nutritive sucking behaviors at 3-4 month intervals since birth. The proposed study will collect dental arch and occlusion variables through study models when these children reach about 5 years of age. The study will use both dichotomous and interval-level data collected prospectively on sucking behaviors of children in the cohort, and will use multivariate statistical techniques such as logistic and linear regression to identify variable predictive of certain malocclusions. This study design will a allow a more comprehensive and reliable assessment of the relationships between patterns of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits and occlusal or dental arch characteristics than has been reported in other studies. This preliminary study will allow investigators to determine the feasibility of using this previously-collected data in a later study of the mixed dentition in this cohort. This study and the potential future study provide the information necessary to make informed, scientifically-based assessments of the risks for developing malocclusions and recommendations on management of sucking habits.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03DE012819-02
Application #
6176877
Study Section
NIDCR Special Grants Review Committee (DSR)
Program Officer
Bryant, Patricia S
Project Start
1999-03-15
Project End
2002-03-14
Budget Start
2000-03-15
Budget End
2002-03-14
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$38,615
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Dentistry
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
062761671
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
Warren, John J; Slayton, Rebecca L; Yonezu, Takuro et al. (2003) Interdental spacing and caries in the primary dentition. Pediatr Dent 25:109-13
Warren, John J; Bishara, Samir E; Yonezu, Takuro (2003) Tooth size-arch length relationships in the deciduous dentition: a comparison between contemporary and historical samples. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 123:614-9
Warren, John J; Bishara, Samir E (2002) Duration of nutritive and nonnutritive sucking behaviors and their effects on the dental arches in the primary dentition. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 121:347-56
Warren, John J; Yonezu, Takuro; Bishara, Samir E (2002) Tooth wear patterns in the deciduous dentition. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 122:614-8
Warren, J J; Bishara, S E (2001) Comparison of dental arch measurements in the primary dentition between contemporary and historic samples. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 119:211-5
Warren, J J; Bishara, S E; Steinbock, K L et al. (2001) Effects of oral habits' duration on dental characteristics in the primary dentition. J Am Dent Assoc 132:1685-93; quiz 1726
Warren, J J; Levy, S M; Nowak, A J et al. (2000) Non-nutritive sucking behaviors in preschool children: a longitudinal study. Pediatr Dent 22:187-91