A Comparative Study between Facial Growth Pattern and Dental Arch Width and Arch Perimeter in Class I Malocclusion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52206/jsmc.2025.15.4.1285Abstract
Background: Vertical facial growth patterns are known to influence craniofacial morphology and dental arch dimensions, which are critical parameters in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.
Objective: To compare intercanine width, intermolar width, and arch perimeter in both maxillary and mandibular arches among individuals with Class I malocclusion exhibiting different vertical facial growth patterns.
Methodology: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at the Orthodontics Department of the Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, CMH Rawalpindi, Pakistan, between June 2024 and January 2025. A total of 229 individuals with skeletal and dental Class I malocclusion were included through non-probability consecutive sampling. Vertical growth pattern was determined on lateral cephalograms using the Sella-Nasion-Mandibular Plane (SN-MP) angle. Dental casts were used to measure arch dimensions, including intercanine width, intermolar width, and arch perimeter, with measurements performed by two trained observers to ensure reliability (r = 0.97). Independent samples t-test was applied, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age did not differ significantly between high-angle (22.77 ± 2.61 years) and low-angle patients (22.74 ± 2.33 years, p = 0.67). High-angle cases accounted for 36.24% of the sample, while 63.76% were low-angle. Arch perimeters in both maxilla and mandible showed no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). In contrast, significant differences were observed in arch widths, with high-angle individuals demonstrating narrower upper intermolar width (p < 0.001), lower intermolar width (p = 0.01), upper intercanine width (p = 0.02), and lower intercanine width (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Vertical facial growth patterns significantly influence transverse dental arch dimensions but not arch perimeter in Class I malocclusion. High-angle individuals consistently exhibited narrower intercanine and intermolar widths compared to low-angle individuals. These findings emphasize the importance of considering vertical growth patterns in orthodontic treatment planning.
Keywords: Arch perimeter, Arch width, Class I malocclusion, Vertical facial growth.
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