Relation of Dental Crowding to Arch Dimensions in Andhra Pradesh Population

Abstract

Introduction: Dental crowding is the difference between the space needed in the dental arch and the space available in that arch. The conditions which may predispose the dental arches to crowding are excessively large teeth, excessively small bony bases of the jaws, and a combination of large teeth and small jaws. Jaw dimensions have a strong genetic control, and the transverse dimensions affect the amount of space available to accommodate teeth. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the relationship of the dental crowding to arch dimensions and to correlate the sex differences, if any, to dental crowding in Andhra Pradesh population.

Materials and Methods: Present study was conducted to evaluate the relationship of the dental crowding to arch dimensions in Andhra Pradesh population. The Maxillary and Mandibular casts of 100 subjects belonging to 13 to 21 years of age were collected following specific inclusion criteria. Data was entered in MS Excel and unpaired T test was used in data analysis.

Results and Conclusion: Lingual arch width in canine region of maxillary arch was found more in crowded group than non crowded group. Non crowded group has more lingual and buccal arch width in molar region of maxillary arch and buccal arch width in canine region of mandibular arch than crowded group. Males of non crowded group has more lingual arch width in canine region of maxilla, buccal arch width in molar region of maxilla, buccal arch width in canine region of mandible, lingual arch width in molar region of mandible and buccal arch width in molar region of mandible than females of non crowded group. Males of crowded group has more maxillary arch perimeter than females of crowded group.