Tooth contacts in eccentric mandibular positions and facial morphology

Correlations between facial morphology and tooth contacts in excursive mandibular positions were studied in 75 men aged 20 to 33 years. The morphology of the dentition was verified on dental casts and the face was measured by use of roentgen cephalometry. No correlation was observed between facial morphology and the number of tooth contacts in the retruded position; however, wide dental arches and jaws displayed many contacts on protrusion. Numerous contacts on the functional side in group function were noted in individuals with a facial morphology associated with distal occlusion, such as Angle class II, division 1. Wide dental arches were associated with multiple functional-side contacts whereas tooth contacts on the nonfunctional side were related to the inclination of the mandible. A "long-face" morphology was related to contacts on the nonfunctional side. There was a negative correlation between the extent of the overbite (vertical overlap) and the number of tooth contacts on the nonfunctional side.