Year : 2018

Volume : Volume 9

Issue : Issue 2

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Mandeep Kaur Bhullar.
mkbhullar@yahoo.co.in

Abstract

Background:  A correct maxillary to mandibular tooth size relationship is critical to achieve a good intercuspation. Any deviation from this harmony can lead to malocclusion and prevent the attainability of optimal occlusion.  The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in the incidence of tooth size discrepancies among different malocclusion groups and whether there was any prevalent trend in the gender differences for tooth size discrepancy.  Materials and methods: This study consisted of 80 subjects; 39 males (mean age 25.9years), 41 females (mean age 22.3 years) divided into three malocclusion groups; Class I, II and III based on Angles classification and Steiner cephalometric analysis. The mesiodistal diameters of teeth were measured by digital electronic calipers and Bolton indices were calculated.  Results: There was no statistically significant difference among different malocclusion groups for intermaxillary tooth size ratios and no prevalent gender trends. The means of anterior, posterior and overall tooth size ratios showed that a large percentage of patients had mesial-distal tooth size discrepancies at pre-treatment analysis. Conclusions: Depending on the results of the study it seems prudent for orthodontists to routinely include a tooth size analysis in the initial diagnosis. Identifying such a discrepancy would prove beneficial by allowing more efficient diagnosis of problems, more specificity in treatment planning, and a higher success rate in achieving optimal occlusions, overbite, and overjet.

Keywords: Bolton ratio; Intermaxillary tooth size ratio; Optimal occlusion.