Authors: Rozela Xhemnica, Elsena Mataj, Çeljana Toti, Samira Mataj, Milton Rroço

UDC: 616.314-007-084

DOI: To be acquired

Keywords: non-nutritional habits, malocclusion, oral habits, children

ABSTRACT

Introduction: A habit is an action that is done unconsciously and rapidly. There are a lot of oral habits where is included even non-nutritional habits. This habits have an impact in development of malocclusion in transversal, sagittal, and vertical plane. Appearance of this malocclusion can be explained by equilibrium theory.
Aim: Aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of non-nutritional habits and their impact in developing of dental anomalies.
Materials and methods: This study was descriptive in perspectivity that lasted for 20 months. There were included children of age 6-15 years old. Children were selected randomly at clinics of : Dental Medicine Faculty, University clinic of Mother of Good Council, and two private clinic Dental studio Xhemnica-Rroço and Grand Dental.
Results: In this study with a sample of 194 persons, 50.3% results female and 43.1% male and frequency of age group 6-10 years old results 46.7% and 53.3% for age 11-15 years old. Non-nutritive habits resulted in this frequencies: the use of fake pacifier 64%, and there were a variety in percentage of time when it was used, thumb sucking resulted 10.20%, lip biting or sucking 7.10% etc. There were find statistical significative connection of this habits and some of malocclusions.
Conclusion: Oral habits are founded in high frequencies in this studied age group. Our results, in accordance with other authors, confirm the impact of this habits in developing of different malocclusions. It is recommended application of preventive strategies to avoid installation of this habits