ABSTRACT:
Aim: To assess the knowledge of malocclusion, attitude towards treatment, oral hygiene practices and its correlation with the prevalence of gingival biotypes among school children from the age 15-17. Objective: To study the prevalence of different gingival biotypes and knowledge of malocclusion in school children between the age 15-17 and correlate the association between gingival biotypes and malocclusion. Materials and methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was distributed among school children to assess their knowledge of malocclusion and attitude towards treatment. Gingival thickness was assessed on the maxillary central incisor using transparency of periodontal probe technique. Occlusion status was assessed by Angle’s classification. Statistical correlation of the obtained data was done by using SPSS version 20. Results: In this study, there was an association between the gingival biotype and malocclusion but it was not statistically significant. Subjects with normal occlusion showed thin biotype. Thick biotype was more prevalent in subjects with crowding when compared with subjects having spacing and proclination. This indicates that there might be a possibility of developing periodontitis in subjects with crowding. Conclusion: According to the results of our survey 1. High school children exhibited awareness towards orthodontic treatment. 2. There is no significant association between gingival biotypes and malocclusion.