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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
07:26
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Mandibular arch form: the relationship between dental and basal anatomy
Valerie Ronay1, R Matthew Miner, Leslie A Will
1Clinic of Dentistry, Vienna University, Vienna, Austria.
Summary
Mandibular dental arch forms derived from bracket (FA) and apical base (WALA) points are highly individual. However, WALA points effectively represent the apical base for predetermining individualized dental arch forms.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Dental Anthropology
- Biometrics
Background:
- Investigated mandibular dental arch form at orthodontic bracket application points (FA) and apical base (WALA).
- Evaluated the correlation between clinical arch form and underlying anatomic structure.
- Examined the potential of the basal arch form for deriving a standardized clinical arch form.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare FA and WALA arch forms in Class I malocclusions.
- To determine the relationship between clinical and basal arch forms.
- To assess the utility of WALA points for predetermining individualized dental arch forms.
Main Methods:
- Created 3D virtual models from laser-scanned mandibular dental casts (n=35).
- Selected FA and WALA reference points for teeth from canine to first molar.
- Analyzed arch forms, point distances, and intercanine/intermolar widths.
Main Results:
- Both FA and WALA arch forms exhibited high individuality with scattered tooth values.
- A significant correlation was found between FA and WALA curves, particularly in canine (0.75) and molar (0.87) regions.
- Intercanine and intermolar widths showed high variability.
Conclusions:
- Neither FA nor WALA point-derived arch forms could be generalized due to high individuality.
- WALA points serve as a valuable representation of the apical base.
- WALA points are useful for predetermining individualized dental arch forms in orthodontic treatment planning.
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