Evaluation for prevalence of malocclusion among adults and need for orthodontic treatment: A cross sectional study

Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to find the percentage of prevalence of malocclusion and the type of occlusal trait from urban –rural population of age group 17-23 in a college in Coimbatore district. Materials and Method: A descriptive cross -sectional study with purposive sampling method.Statistical test used: Examinations were computerized and analyzed using statistical package for social science version 24. Chi square test was used for computing statistical significance.Result: The difference in prevalence of malocclusion in college students from rural and urban area was significant with the prevalence being more in rural population.Conclusion: Malocclusion is widely spread among young adult population with greater prevalence in students from rural area, with Angles class I to be the most predominant type of malocclusion. The type of occlusal trait in rural students was proclination and the urban students had maxillary anterior crowding.