Background: Thalassemias are inherited blood disorder, widespread amongst Italian, Middle Eastern, Greek, South Asian and African children. It is classified into Alpha and Beta Thalassemias with a number of subtypes. β-thalassemia major is the most sever one. The objective of this study was to determine the association between β-thalassemia major and malocclusion among a sample of Sudanese children compared to healthy children.

Method: The present study was conducted for 54 children with β-thalassemia major aged (4-16) years old compared to 54 healthy control group matched with age and gender in Khartoum state, Sudan. Malocclusion was evaluated according to Angle’s classification. Statistical analysis was done using the statically package for social science (SPSS) version 20. The 95% confidence intervals for the association between variables were estimated and compared using Chi-square test. p value ≤ 0.05 was considered statically significant.

Results: β-thalassemia major exhibited various types of malocclusion; open bite (11.3%), increased overjet (37.7%), maxillary spacing (44.4%), maxillary crowding (16.7%), mandibular spacing (25.9%), and mandibular crowding (24.1%). Angle’s class I was the most frequent occlusal relation (80.0%) in children with β-thalassemia major, (20.0%) had class II occlusal relation, and no one had class III. No statically significant difference between the two study groups in relation to all types of malocclusion except for overjet (p≤0.004).

Conclusion: Various types of malocclusion were found in β-thalassemia major children in Sudan, increased overjet is the most frequent followed by anterior openbite. A significant correlation existed between β-thalassemia major and healthy control group. Perception of the situation of β-thalassemia children should contribute for the planning of dental services that can help in prevention of malocclusion and avoid future dental problems.

Keywords: β-Thalassemia Major; Malocclusion; Control Children.