Objectives: To evaluate the relationships between dental arch width dimensions and mandibular plane angle (MP-SN) in untreated adult male individuals. Methods: Lateral cephalograms and dental casts were obtained from 92 untreated adult Caucasian males, ranging from 18 to 68 years of age with no crossbite, and minimal crowding or spacing. For each subject, the MP-SN angle was measured from each cephalogram, and dental casts were used to take comprehensive dental measurements including the maxillary and mandibular inter-canine, inter-premolar, inter-molar widths, and the amount of crowding or spacing. Regression analysis was used to determine statistical significance of the relations between MP-SN angle and the dental arch width measures. Results: As MP-SN angle increased, arch width decreased in the following arch width dimensions (P<0.05): maxillary inter-canine, maxillary inter-first premolar, maxillary inter-second premolar, maxillary inter-first molar, mandibular inter-canine, mandibular inter-first premolar. All other dental measurements, including maxillary and mandibular crowding or spacing, were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Dental arch width was significantly related to MP-SN angle such that as MP-SN angle increased, arch width decreased.

Back to the Craniofacial Biology Program
Back to the IADR General Session & Exhibition (June 28 – July 1, 2006)

Top Level Search