Buccolingual inclinations of posterior teeth in subjects with different facial patterns

This study compared the buccolingual inclination of the posterior teeth in subjects with a horizontal growth pattern (proportionally short lower anterior face height) with that of subjects with a vertical growth pattern (proportionally long lower anterior face height). Seventy subjects with permanent dentition were divided into 2 groups. Group I comprised 35 subjects (16 male, 19 female) with Class II Division 2 malocclusion with a horizontal growth pattern, and group II comprised 35 subjects (15 male, 20 female) with a vertical growth pattern. Buccolingual inclinations of the first molar and second premolar were indirectly assessed on photocopies of buccolingual sections of these teeth by measuring their occlusal surface (represented by an imaginary line connecting the lingual and buccal cusps) inclination. The groups were compared with t tests (P <.05). The maxillary posterior teeth of subjects with a vertical growth pattern had a significantly greater buccal inclination compared with those of subjects with a horizontal growth pattern. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the inclinations of the mandibular posterior teeth between the 2 groups.