Assessment of Prevalence of Crossbite Among Schoolchildren Aged 6–12 Years in Mumbai: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Crossbite is an important occlusal finding during the mixed dentition period and may contribute to
functional disturbances, occlusal trauma, and developing dentofacial asymmetry if not identified early. Local
prevalence data are useful for planning school-based screening and timely orthodontic referral.
Aim: To assess the prevalence and pattern of crossbite among schoolchildren aged 6–12 years in Mumbai, India.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive, school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among children
aged 6–12 years in selected schools of Mumbai. A total of 797 children were included in the final analysis. Clinical
examination was performed under adequate illumination, and crossbite was recorded in maximum intercuspation.
Crossbite was classified as anterior, posterior, single-tooth, segmental, unilateral, bilateral, dental, or skeletal
wherever documented. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square test was used to assess
association with age and sex, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Crossbite was observed in 55 of 797 children, giving an overall prevalence of 6.90% (95% CI: 5.34–
8.88). Anterior crossbite was recorded in 26 children (3.26%), while posterior crossbite was recorded in 4 children
(0.50%). The highest age-wise prevalence was observed among 7-year-old children (12.90%). Crossbite
prevalence was 7.49% in males and 6.22% in females. No statistically significant association was found between
crossbite and age group (p = 0.061) or sex (p = 0.462).
Conclusion: Crossbite was present in a measurable proportion of schoolchildren aged 6–12 years in Mumbai,
with anterior crossbite being the most commonly recorded subtype. The findings support routine school-based
dental screening and timely orthodontic referral during mixed dentition.