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Tooth size discrepancies in an orthodontic population.
1Department of Child Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Angle Orthodontist
|July 4, 2007
Summary
A 2 mm tooth size discrepancy (TSD) is clinically significant, affecting a notable percentage of orthodontic patients. Visual inspection is unreliable for detecting TSD, necessitating precise measurements for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Dental Morphology
- Biometrics
Background:
- Tooth Size Discrepancy (TSD) impacts occlusal harmony and treatment planning.
- Determining a clinically significant threshold for TSD is crucial for effective orthodontic intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the millimeters of tooth size discrepancy (TSD) considered clinically significant.
- To quantify the prevalence of TSD in a representative orthodontic population.
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of visual inspection for detecting TSD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 150 pretreatment orthodontic study casts (first molar to first molar).
- Mesiodistal tooth diameters measured digitally; Bolton analysis performed using HATS software.
- Bolton discrepancy assessed via both digital measurement and simple visual estimation.
Main Results:
- 17.4% exhibited anterior TSD and 5.4% total arch TSD exceeding Bolton's standard deviations.
- 2 mm correction needed for 16% (upper) and 9% (lower) in anterior analysis.
- 28% (upper) and 24% (lower) required correction in total arch analysis.
Conclusions:
- A 2 mm tooth size correction threshold is recommended as clinically significant.
- A substantial percentage of orthodontic patients exhibit TSD requiring correction.
- Visual estimation of TSD demonstrates low sensitivity and specificity, underscoring the need for careful measurement.
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