Vol. 11, Issue 4, Part F (2025)

Introduction: The evaluation of neurodevelopment in pediatric patients is essential, as alterations in this area can trigger the appearance of habits that favor the development of malocclusions.
Objective: To analyze the literature on neurodevelopment and its close relationship with the onset of malocclusions, observing their prevalence, etiology, diagnostic methods, and treatment alternatives in pediatric patients with cognitive development disorders.
Methodology: A search was carried out in the databases PubMed, SCOPUS and Google Scholar using the keywords Pediatric neurodevelopment, Malocclusion, Neurodevelopmental disorders, Oral etiology, Neuroimaging diagnosis, atypical oral behavior.
Results: The global prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders is 16.9%, with children and adolescents being the most affected. Their etiology includes genetic, environmental, and functional factors that predispose individuals to carious lesions, periodontal disease, and malocclusions. Among the diagnostic methods, neuroimaging stands out, as it allows for the assessment of brain function and structures, as well as the identification of oral behaviors related to chewing, dental anxiety, and atypical oral sensorimotor development. Treatment should focus on a multidisciplinary approach and be prevention-oriented.
Conclusions: The approach to pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental disorders and comorbidities should be multidisciplinary, assessing neurological development and the risk-benefit ratio of each intervention, and incorporating preventive strategies that promote oral health and quality of life.