TOOTH SIZE DISCREPANCIES AND DENTAL ARCH WIDTH IN PATIENTS WITH PALATALLY AND LABIALLY IMPACTED MAXILLARY CANINES

Abstract

It has been reported that labial displacement of the upper permanent canine is most frequently associatedwith crowding and constriction of the dental arch, but palatally impacted canines have sufficient space to erupt and are associated with a reduction of teeth width.Aim. To compare the Bolton ratios, individual tooth and dental arch widths in patients with unilateral palatallyand labially impacted canines.Methods. The study sample consisted of 75 patients with unilaterally impacted maxillary canines (palatalimpaction group n=48 (64%), labial impaction group n=27 (36%)). Teeth width, upper dental arch width and form analysis was performed on the pre-treatment dental casts. Bolton‘s ratio was calculated.Results. There were no differences in tooth widths between palatal and labial impaction groups, (except central incisors that were significantly smaller on the impaction side in both groups). No statistical relationbetween impacted tooth position on labio–palataldirection and meaning of the Bolton’s ratio was found. 54.66 % of patients had normal anterior Bolton‘s ratio and 53.33%- normal overall Bolton‘s ratio.The distance between upper first molars and first premolars does not differ in both impaction groups. No statistical correlation was found between the upperdental arch form and impacted canine position in labio-palatal direction.Conclusion. Central incisors were significantly smaller on the impaction side of the dental arch in both palatally and labially impaction groups. No differences in the Bolton ratios, dental arch form and transversal width in patients with unilateral palatallyand labially canine impaction were found.