Intermolar Distance Research Articles

Three-dimensional palatal anatomic characteristics' correlation with dermatoglyphic heterogeneity in Angle malocclusions.

To assess correlation of dermatoglyphic (DG) pattern with quantitative palatal anatomic parameters measured using three-dimensional (3D) scanning of dental casts and to explore the possibility of utilizing these to predict future occurrence of malocclusion. Pretreatment casts of 477 Saudi Arabian patients were divided into Class I, II, and III malocclusion groups. Fingerprints were recorded for all hand digits using a digital biometric device. Maxillary arch analysis was accomplished including intercanine, intermolar distance, palatal height, and palatal area. The results were statistically analyzed. The mean surface area of the palate was highest in Class II malocclusion. The DG pattern was not significantly associated with the type of malocclusion, except in the instance of the double loop characteristic (P = .05). There was a strong correlation, however, between DG characteristics like simple arch, loop, and double loop and palatal dimensions (intercanine, intermolar distance, and palatal height). Heterogeneity of DG pattern could be reliably used to predict palatal dimensions. Logistic regression revealed that only tented arch, symmetrical, spiral DG patterns and palatal area were significant but weak predictors of Angle malocclusion (P < .05). A novel correlation of DG pattern with 3D palatal anatomic characteristics was assessed in different Angle malocclusion classes. Few of the DG characteristics and palatal dimensions showed significant correlations. However, only some of these were significant predictors of Angle malocclusion.

A novel method of photogrammetry measurements of study models in orthodontics

Introduction/Objective. Rapid developments in information technologies lead to the wider use of digital representations of dental study models in orthodontics. Most popular way of digitizing the models is to use a 3D scanner and then perform measurements on 3D models, which requires additional and expensive hardware and software resources. In this paper we present an alternative approach based on the use of photogrammetry in the newly developed OrthoPhoto4D software that calculates and corrects perspective distortion errors. Methods. We measured individual tooth width for 24 teeth, 12 two-teeth segments as well as inter-molar and inter-canine distances on 50 models. Measurements are performed in OrthoPhoto4D software that uses four photographs of each model for measurements, uses QR codes for automation, calculates the camera position and corrects perspective distortion-caused errors in measurements. Obtained measurements are compared to ones obtained from models generated by structured light 3D scanner. Results. Statistical analysis strongly indicates that there is no significant difference between the two methods. The recorded differences also have no clinical impact as they have mean values of 0.2 mm for individual tooth widths, approximately 0.2 mm for two teeth segments, and under 0.3 mm for both intercanine and inter-molar distances. All recorded differences fall within the expected measurement error. Conclusion. We concluded that the described photogrammetry measurements performed in OrthoPhoto4D can be used in diagnosis and therapy planning.

Evaluation of Maxillary Dental Arch Widths in Individuals Having Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Using Three-Dimensional Digital Models

Aim: Maxillary dental arch widths were evaluated in individuals having unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip and palate (CLP) using three-dimensional (3D) digital models. Material and Method: The study had been conducted on 80 individuals aged between 14 - 17 years having UCLP and BCLP. 40 of the individuals had UCLP, whereas 40 had BCLP. The maxillary dental models taken from patients before the treatment were scanned using Orthomodel Programme (v.1.01, Orthomodel Inc., Istanbul, Turkey) to obtain 3D imagery. Student’s t-test was used in order to assess the data obtained by using SPSS software version 22.0. Results: In BCLP, the average inter-canine distance was 17.44 ± 1.31 mm, the average inter-molar distance was 36.57 ± 1.12 mm, while inter-canine/inter-molar ratio was 0.47. Whereas in UCLP, it was 25.10 ± 0.63 mm, 42.20 ± 0.53 mm and 0.59. The inter-canine distance in UCLP was found to be large enough to be statistically significant (p 0.05), even though there were differences in inter-molar widths. Conclusion: For the stable orthodontic treatment results, one of the most important points is arch form and widths to be coherent with each other. In our study, the increase of inter-canine distance seen in UCLP indicates that in the cleft region, the maxillary arch is inclined over to the back, while the same situation in BCLP suggests that the maxillary segments are collapsed inside. The difference in the arch is highly affected by the primary surgical treatment.

Factors influencing dental arch form.

Dental arch length, bilateral intermolar distance, morphology of the anterior teeth, and bilateral intercanine distance have been reported as factors influencing the determination of dental arch form. However, studies evaluating the factors that influence the determination of the above-mentioned components are limited. Therefore, to verify these points, the present study aimed to examine factors influencing the determination of dental arch form using statistical methods.Data obtained from sample dental casts were analyzed using principal component and cluster analyses. By principal component analysis, 23 sets of information were summarized into three components for the maxilla and four for the mandible. As a result of cluster analysis using principal component scores, the maxillary and mandibular dental arches were classified into four forms, respectively.Dental arch length is an important indicator of dental arch size and is influenced by the bilateral interincisor distance of the maxilla and mandible, and the mesiodistal crown width of the incisors and premolars. In the mandible, canine width also affects dental arch length. Dental arch width also influences the determination of dental arch form. However, the distance between the anterior teeth and the distance between the molars are independent and have no effect on each other.

Comparison of Changes in Dental Arch Dimensions in Cases Treated with Conventional Appliances and Self-Ligating Damon System

Proposition: The objective of this study was to compare changes in maxillary and mandibular dental arch dimensions in cases treated nonextraction with conventional appliances and self-ligating Damon System. Materials and Methods: initial (T1) and final (T2) dental casts of 45 patients with Class I malocclusion treated nonextraction, with slight to moderate crowding, divided into two groups. Group 1: 21 patients treated with self-ligating Damon appliances, at a mean initial age of 18.37 years and mean treatment time of 2.11 years. Group 2: 24 patients treated with conventional appliances, at a mean initial age of 19.50 years and mean treatment time of 1.99 years. The model analysis was performed; Little irregularity index was used to evaluate crowding and arch form was evaluated by measurements in maxillary and mandibular arches including intercanine, interpremolar (first and second premolars) and intermolar distances and arch length. The intragroup comparison was performed with dependent t or Wilcoxon tests and intergroup comparison, with independent t or Mann Whitney tests. Results: In intergroup comparison of treatment changes (T2-T1) the Damon group presented an increase in maxillary transversal dimensions significantly greater than the conventional group. The change in maxillary arch length did not show difference between the groups. Regarding the mandibular arch, the Damon group presented a significantly greater increase in intercanine and inter first premolars than the conventional group. In The mandibular arch length, the greater and significant increase was observed in the groups of patients treated with conventional appliances. Conclusions: The treatment with the Damon appliances resulted in a significantly greater increase of maxillary arch dimensions when compared to conventional appliances. Mandibular intercanine and interpremolar distances also presented greater increase in Damon than conventional appliances. The increase in mandibular arch length was greater in conventional than in Damon group.

Rapid palatal expansion (RPE): Meta-analysis of long-term effects.

Rapid palatal expansion (RPE) is a widespread orthopaedic procedure used in several clinical situations. The aim of the study was to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of transverse intercanine and intermolar width changes after RPE and long-term effects. A systematic literature search was conducted until January 2018 on original studies with RPE treatment. Intercanine and intermolar distance were measured at the start of RPE (T1, median age 9.2years) and at the end of treatment (T2). The long-term evaluation was conducted on a subset of articles with 5-year follow-up (T3). Eighteen studies T1-T2 and 5 studies T3 were selected. Regarding the intercanine distance, the RPE resulted in a gain of space T1-T2 of 3.73mm with a significant heterogeneity (P<0.0001; I2 =94.21%) and a relapse T2-T3 of -0.81mm with a significant heterogeneity (P<0.0001; I2 =95.8%); the overall gain of space was 2.91mm. Regarding the intermolar distance, the RPE resulted in a gain of space T1-T2 of 4.85mm with a significant heterogeneity (P<0.0001; I2 =92.41%) and a relapse T2-T3 of -0.47mm with a significant heterogeneity (P<0.0001; I2 =87.5%); the overall gain of space was 4.38mm. Meta-regression analysis showed that at younger age, the amount of anterior expansion is similar to posterior. With increasing age, the anterior opening diminishes significantly more than the posterior, being half of the posterior at 15years. Because long-term results were obtained with simultaneously fixed appliances and long upper retention, RPE should be carefully considered before using.

Transverse Maxillary Development in Complete Cleft Patients: Comparison of 2 Treatment Strategies by Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Model Analysis.

This study aimed to compare differences in the maxillary transverse dimension following cleft repair using 2 protocols involving a 2-staged palatal closure with similar timing but different techniques. Retrospective study. Two matched study samples, each containing 10 patients. Cleft center A is a university hospital. Cleft Center B is a general teaching hospital. Patients with cleft lip alveolus and palate (CLAP) were matched by cleft type, gender, age, and palatal morphology at the age of 1 month. Differences in the transverse dimension were measured at 4 ages in 2 matched groups (A and B from center A and B), each including 5 patients with unilateral CLAP (UCLAP) and 5 patients with bilateral CLAP (BCLAP). Orthodontic/orthopedic expansion treatment began at 8 and 5 years of age at centers A and B, respectively. The mean intercanine distance decreased by 8 mm (standard deviation [SD] = 1.6; P = .030) in group A patients with UCLAP between 1 and 5 years (SD = 1.6; P = .030) and by 6.3 mm (SD = 3.2; P = .016) in group B patients with BCLAP. The mean intermolar distance increased by 4 mm (SD = 3.4; P = .076) in patients with BCLAP. A trend toward improved canine positioning was observed in patients with BCLAP by 12 years of age, with improvement occurring between 4 and 12 years. The type of palatal closure (inducing scar tissue at the bony level) and the late installment of orthodontic/orthopedic expansion probably reduced the intercanine width in bilateral complete clefts.

Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of bone plate and root length after maxillary expansion using tooth-borne and tooth-tissue-borne banded expanders.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the buccal bone plate and root length of maxillary permanent first molars using cone-beam computed tomography after maxillary expansion with different activation protocols. Cone-beam computed tomography images of growing patients were obtained from the orthodontic department of Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. The groups were Haas-type 2/4 turns, Haas-type 4/4 turns, hyrax-type 2/4 turns, and hyrax-type with alternate rapid maxillary expansions and constrictions (alt-RAMEC) 4/4 turns a day. Tooth length, periodontal insertion, alveolar bone thickness, and intermolar distances were evaluated. The data at the start oftreatment and 6months later were compared using generalized linear models. The intergroup differences were determined by univariate analysis of variance with the Bonferroni adjustment. Tooth length was significantly shortened after expansion in all groups (-0.28 to -0.51mm), except for the alt-RAMEC group. Bone level variables (bone level and bone level at the tooth tip) changed statistically in all groups, except for the Haas 4/4 turns group. There was significant periodontal attachment loss after rapid maxillary expansion with the hyrax/alt-RAMEC (5.09mm). The hyrax/alt-RAMEC andhyrax groups had more dehiscences, fenestrations, and exposures of the root. The consequence of rapid maxillary expansion using the hyrax was alveolar bone resorption, especially in the hyrax/alt-RAMEC group, whereas the Haas expander caused mild root resorption.

Anthropometric Analysis of the Dental Arches of Five-Year-Old Children With Cleft Lip and Palate

This study aimed to analyze the dimensional alterations of the dental arches of 5-year-old children with cleft lip and palate and to compare these dimensions with children without oral clefts. One hundred twenty children were divided into the following groups: unilateral cleft lip (UCL), unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), cleft palate (CP), and control (C). A specific software was used to digitize the dental casts and perform the anthropometric analyses through the measurement of transversal linear intercanine and intermolar distances on the maxilla and mandible. The intergroup comparisons of the maxillary dimensions exhibited that the intercanine distances of groups C and UCL were statistically greater than that of groups UCLP and CP. The intermolar distance was significantly smaller in group UCLP than in the other groups. No statistically significant difference occurred in the mandibular intercanine and intermolar distance among groups. The analysis of the superposition of the maxillary over the mandibular transversal distances showed statistically significant differences among groups. This study showed that at 5-year old, the children with cleft involving the palate had more maxillary dimensional alterations than those without cleft palate.

Midfacial changes in the coronal plane induced by microimplant-supported skeletal expander, studied with cone-beam computed tomography images.

Our objectives were to evaluate midfacial skeletal changes in the coronal plane and the implications of circummaxillary sutures and to localize the center of rotation for the zygomaticomaxillary complex after therapy with a bone-anchored maxillary expander, using high-resolution cone-beam computed tomography. Fifteen subjects with a mean age of 17.2±4.2years were treated with a bone-anchored maxillary expander. Pretreatment and posttreatment cone-beam computed tomography images were superimposed and examined for comparison. Upper interzygomatic distance increased by 0.5mm, lower interzygomatic distance increased by 4.6mm, frontozygomatic angles increased by 2.5° and 2.9° (right and left sides), maxillary inclinations increased by 2.0° and 2.5° (right and left sides), and intermolar distance increased by 8.3mm(P<0.05). Changes in frontoethmoidal, zygomaticomaxillary, and molar basal bone angles were negligible (P>0.05). A significant lateral displacement of the zygomaticomaxillary complex occurred in late adolescent patients treated with a bone-anchored maxillary expander. The zygomatic bone tended to rotate outward along with the maxilla with a common center of rotation located near the superior aspect of the frontozygomatic suture. Dental tipping of the molars was negligible during treatment.

Maxillary Intermolar Width Of Pakistanis With Untreated Normal Occlusion

Objective: Intermolar width is a key measurement which assists in treatment planning of orthodontic patients requiring expansion as an alternate to premolar extraction. The present research was aimed at determining the mean value of intermolar arch width (IMW) of untreated normal arch Pakistani patients visiting tertiary care dental hospital Material &amp; Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out using IMW measurements on plaster model of 120 untreated normal occlusion patients, at Department of Orthodontics, Faisalabad Medical University and de’Montmorency College of dentistry, from 15-12-2016 to 15-10-2017. The non probability consecutive sampling technique was used in this study. Data analysis was done using SPSS software 21.0.0. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 18.23±3.75 years. The mean value of IMW in selected subjects was 45.33±3.42 mm. Conclusion: Study results concluded that in Pakistanis, ideally align maxillary arch and occlusion can be achieved with upper intermolar distances of 45.33±3.42 mm

Dental arch dimensions, form and tooth size ratio among a Saudi sample.

Objectives:To determine the dental arch dimensions and arch forms in a sample of Saudi orthodontic patients, to investigate the prevalence of Bolton anterior and overall tooth size discrepancies, and to compare the effect of gender on the measured parameters.Methods:This study is a biometric analysis of dental casts of 149 young adults recruited from different orthodontic centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The dental arch dimensions were measured. The measured parameters were arch length, arch width, Bolton’s ratio, and arch form. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 22.0 (IBM Corporation, New York, USA); this cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2015 and May 2016.Results:Dental arch measurements, including inter-canine and inter-molar distance, were found to be significantly greater in males than females (p<0.05). The most prevalent dental arch forms were narrow tapered (50.3%) and narrow ovoid (34.2%), respectively. The prevalence of tooth size discrepancy in all cases was 43.6% for anterior ratio and 24.8% for overall ratio. The mean Bolton’s anterior ratio in all malocclusion classes was 79.81%, whereas the mean Bolton’s overall ratio was 92.21%. There was no significant difference between males and females regarding Bolton’s ratio.Conclusion:The most prevalent arch form was narrow tapered, followed by narrow ovoid. Males generally had larger dental arch measurements than females, and the prevalence of tooth size discrepancy was more in Bolton’s anterior teeth ratio than in overall ratio.

Computerized Casts for Orthodontic Purpose Using Powder-Free Intraoral Scanners: Accuracy, Execution Time, and Patient Feedback.

Introduction Intraoral scanners allow direct images of oral situation, with fewer steps than conventional impressions. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of digital impressions, traditional impressions, and digitalization of full-arch gypsum models, to evaluate timing of different methods and finally to study perception of patients about conventional and digital impression techniques. Methods Dental arches of fourteen patients were evaluated by alginate impression, titanium dioxide powder-free intraoral scanning (Trios, 3Shape), and digitalization obtained from gypsum models using the same scanner. Conventional and digital techniques were evaluated through measurements (lower and upper arch anteroposterior length, lower and upper intercanine distance, and lower and upper intermolar distance) with a caliber for analogic models and using a computer software for digital models (Ortho Analyzer, Great Lakes Orthodontics). In addition, chairside and processing times were recorded. Finally, each patient completed a VAS questionnaire to evaluate comfort. Statistical analyses were performed with ANOVA and Tukey tests for accuracy measurements and paired t-test for times and VAS scores. Significance was predetermined at P < 0.05. Results The measurements obtained with intraoral scanning, gypsum models after conventional impression, and digitalized gypsum models were not significantly different. Both chairside and processing times of digital scanning were shorter than the traditional method. VAS reporting patients comfort were significantly higher when evaluating digital impression. Conclusions Intraoral scanners used for orthodontic applications provide useful data in clinical practice, comparable to conventional impression. This technology is more time efficient than traditional impression and comfortable for patients. Further evolution with more accurate and faster scanners could in future replace traditional impression methods.

Side effects of intraoral devices for OSAS treatment.

IntroductionIntraoral devices have increasingly assumed a key role in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, but there are limitations to their indication and side effects that result from their continuous use, as well as the use of the continuous positive airway pressure device.ObjectivesTo evaluate the changes in dental positioning caused by the continuous use of mandibular advancement devices.MethodsA prospective longitudinal study with a sample of 15 patients, with evaluation of complete documentation after a mean time of 6.47 months, assessed changes in dental positioning due to the use of the Twin Block oral device for the treatment of patients with apnea. The following variables were evaluated: overjet, overbite, upper and lower intermolar distances, upper and lower intercanine distances, Little's irregularity index and the incisor mandibular plane angle. An intraclass correlation test was performed and a correlation index > 0.08 was accepted. After verifying the normal sample distribution (Shapiro-Wilks), a parametric test was used (t test), with a significance level set at 5%.ResultsThere was a decrease in the values of overjet, overbite and Little's irregularity index, whereas there was an increase in the lower intercanine distance and IMPA values. All these variables are influenced, at different levels, by the forward inclination of the lower incisors, an action that can be expected due to the force applied by the device on the dentition. The other variables did not show statistically significant differences.ConclusionAfter a mean time of 6.47 months of use of the mandibular advancement device, there were statistically significant changes in the dental positioning, but they were not clinically relevant. However, it is relevant that this device is commonly in use over long periods of time, making the monitoring of these patients of the utmost importance for the duration of their therapy.

Dentoalveolar Effects of Early Orthodontic Treatment in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate.

No agreement exists on the most appropriate timing of orthodontic treatment in patients with cleft lip and palate. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of early orthodontic treatment on development of the dental arches and alveolar bone.A dental casts analysis was performed on 28 children with cleft lip and palate before orthodontic treatment (T0; mean age, 6.5 ± 1.7) and at the end of active treatment (T1; mean age, 9.2 ± 2.1 years). The considered variables were: intercanine and intermolar distances; dental arch relationships, evaluated according to the modified Huddart/Bodenham system.The study group was divided into 2 samples according to the age at T0: Group A (age < 6 years) and Group B (age ≥ 6 years). A statistical comparison of the treatment effects between the 2 samples was performed.Patients in Group A exhibited a greater increase of intercanine distance (8 mm versus 2.7 mm; P<0.001), intermolar distance (7.2 mm versus 5 mm; P = 0.06), and Huddart/Bodenham score (7.1 versus 3; P < 0.05) when compared with patients in Group B.Early orthodontic treatment strongly improved the dental arch relationship, since subjects starting the therapy before the age of 6 had a better response in terms of anterior maxillary expansion.

Prediction of the mesio-distal crown widths of unerupted cuspids and bicuspids in the Singapore Malay population

Objective(1) To develop models to predict the mesio-distal crown widths of the unerupted cuspids and bicuspids in the mixed-dentitions in the Singapore Malay population. (2) To evaluate the prediction accuracy of the proposed models. Materials and MethodsDental cast records were obtained from 150 Singapore Malay orthodontic patients (70 males, mean 22.9 years; 80 females, mean 21.4 years). Mesio-distal crown widths, molar basal arch-lengths and intermolar distances were measured in the permanent maxillary and mandibular dentitions on the dental casts with a digital caliper. Regression equations for estimating the sum of the crown widths of the unerupted cuspids and bicuspids were determined using a stepwise multiple regression analysis and tested for validity. Estimations within 1.5mm in the dental arch were deemed clinically acceptable and might not affect the decision of orthodontic tooth extraction or non-extraction in a permanent dentition as it may be compensated for by interproximal enameloplasty. As such, the prediction accuracy was defined as the percentage of the estimations falling within 1.5mm of the actual summed widths of the cuspids and bicuspids within the dental arch and was derived using the validation dataset. ResultsFor the male subjects, the maxillary equation of Ŷ=8.445+0.716×U2+0.870×U6 had a R2 of 0.49 and the mandibular equation of Ŷ=4.161+1.173×L2+0.996×L6 had a R2 of 0.63. For the female subjects, the maxillary equation of Ŷ=8.826+0.540×U2+0.607×U6+0.073×UIMD had a R2 of 0.42 and the mandibular equation of Ŷ=9.815+1.005×L1+1.081×L2 had a R2 of 0.44. Ŷ represents the estimated sum of the mesio-distal crown widths of the unerupted cuspids and bicuspids. The prediction models had accuracies of 90–100%. ConclusionThe proposed models were found to be effective for clinical use for the Singapore Malay orthodontic patients in the mixed-dentition.

Instability of palatal rugae following rapid maxillary expansion.

Existing evidence on changes of the palatal rugae following rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is scarce and inconclusive, particularly immediate post-expansion changes in three-dimensional assessments. Our aims were to assess the dimensional stability of the palatal rugae in the antero-posterior and transverse dimensions following RME treatment, as well as the three-dimensional changes in palatal volume and area. The sample consisted of the dental casts of 30 adolescents (16 males; 14 females, age 11.46 ± 1.42 years) who underwent RME. The models, available at T1 (pretreatment) and T2 (immediately after expansion) were scanned using a laser scanning system. Various parameters were recorded including individual ruga transverse and antero-posterior linear and angular measurements; palatal dimensions (width, length, volume, surface area, vault depth/height); and dental characteristics (interincisor, intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar distances). Statistical analyses included paired t-tests for group comparisons, and Pearson moment product for associations among variables. Palatal rugae were altered by RME in all dimensions in both linear and angular measurements, almost equally on right and left sides, albeit the average linear changes were about 1 mm. Correlation coefficients among rugal and dental measures suggested an association between rugae changes and the underlying bony movements. Except for the first rugae that had higher correlations to the intercanine width, the correspondence of changes seems to be asymmetric, thus not precisely predictable. The results suggest a variable trend in the rugae response to expansion, likely reflecting the constitutional asymmetric pattern or nature of pairs of rugae.

Palatal morphology changes in post-stroke patients measured by geometric morphometrics.

This study aimed to describe longitudinal palatal shape changes in post-stroke patients when compared to a sample of healthy subjects through linear measurements and geometric morphometrics. The 3D palatal scanned models of seven stroke patients having a 1-year post-stroke follow-up were matched with seven control subjects of the same age group (range 50-87 years). Intercanine, intermolar distances and palatal height were measured. 3D images were also analysed through geometric morphometrics to assess changes in the shape of the palate from T0 to T1 (1 year after the stroke). Principal component analysis was used to describe shape morphology changes, and visual colour maps were used to qualitatively assess differences between T0 and T1. No changes were detected nor in linear measures neither in palatal shape in healthy subjects from T0 to T1. The palates of stroke patients showed no linear differences either. However, when visualising shape changes through colour maps, the lateral aspects of the palatal vault were slightly narrower in T1, with respect to T0 in stroke patients. This may be attributed to altered tongue function following the stroke.

Computer-guided technique evaluation of the bony palate for planning individual implant placement.

Different clinical problems may require a surgical approach to the dental arch, such as dentofacial orthopedics, implant-supported dental prothesis, maxillary orthodontics protraction, removable appliances, and posttraumatic dental reconstruction. The aim of this study is to analyze the dental arch size and type for supporting individual dental protheses. In this study, the reference measurements on the length of the bony palate, maxillary intercanine width, maxillary intermolar width, and the ratio of the maxillary to the palatinal surface were studied in 120 bony palates using a computer software program. The average length of the bony palate, maxilla, and palatine was measured as 104.4±30.3, 40.05±4.05, and 15.00±3.03mm, respectively. The right and left sides of average width of intermaxillary distances were measured as 13.75±1.50 and 12.51±1.50mm, respectively. The average width of intermolar distance was calculated as 19.82±1.61mm (right side) and 18.89±1.69mm (left side), respectively. The maxillary dentitions were classified as square (17%), round-square (63.5%), round (14.4%), and round V-shaped arches (5.1%). The round-square ones showed no prominent principal component. Among the maxillary arches, the round arches were characterized by small values and round V-shaped ones with the largest values. Asymmetry between the right and the left bony palate was observed. The areas with equal bony palate on both sides were present in 64.4% of the cases, and in 33.1% of the cases, bony palate was dominant on the right. The primary principle in reconstructive treatment should be describing geometrical forms and mathematical details of the bony palate. Three-dimensional reference values relative to the dental arch may increase the success of individual treatment of surgical procedures and reduce possible complications. With the help of certain software, this research has made possible to investigate the variability of the dental arch and calculate the variety in measurements and thereby determining the most appropriate implant position, optimizing the implant axis and defining the best surgical and prosthetic solution for the patient.

Evaluation and comparative study of palatal rugae, arch length, and arch width with its predictive accuracy for Gender Identification

AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate and correlate variation in the palatal rugae pattern, maxillary arch length, and maxillary arch width in males and females visiting dental college along with its predictive accuracy in gender differentiation. Materials and methods100 preorthodontic maxillary dental stone casts, including 50 males and 50 females in age range of 18–30 years, were studied for different rugae pattern, arch length, and arch width. Thomas and Kotze classification was adopted for assessing rugae pattern. The arch length was measured by using the Lavelle's method and arch width by measuring intermolar distance. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and discriminant function analysis by SPSS 19 Statistical Package. ResultsThe study revealed that females had higher curved and diverging type of rugae while males had higher circular and converging type of rugae, which were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). The arch length and width at all dimensions were higher for males than females, which were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Association between rugae pattern and arch dimension was computed using discriminant function analysis, which permitted gender differentiation in this population with an accuracy of 83%. ConclusionThe rugae pattern, arch length, and arch width can be used for gender differentiation in the human population. However, further research work on a larger population and use of other methods is necessary to validate its use in forensics science.