Simplified Formula versus Standard Bolton's Analysis in the Analysis of Tooth Size Discrepancies among Different...

Absence of tooth size discrepancies is considered to be the seventh key for an ideal occlusion. The aim of the present study was to compare the standard Bolton's analysis with the simplified analysis to evaluate tooth size discrepancies in the different malocclusion groups during orthodontic treatment planning.

For the present study, 120 pretreatment orthodontic study models for subjects within an age group of 13-25 years were used, while the study models of each subject were measured at the largest mesio-distal dimension using a digital vernier caliper from right first molar to left first molar for both maxillary and mandibular arches. All the measurements were analyzed for anterior and overall ratios, and also, the amount of anterior and/or overall excess, while the measurements obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.

The findings of the present study revealed no statistically significant differences between the standard Bolton's analysis and simplified formula 1 and 2 in terms of the anterior and overall ratios (P = 0.3000 for Anterior; P = 0.4800 for overall ratio for Bolton's analysis-Simplified formula 1, and P = 0.2500 for anterior; P = 0.6600 for overall ratio for Bolton's analysis-Simplified formula 2).

Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that both simplified formula 1 and 2 can be recommended to be used as reliable alternatives to the standard Bolton's analysis in the assessment of tooth size discrepancies among different malocclusion groups for planning orthodontic treatment.