Skeletal and dental arch asymmetries in individuals with normal dental occlusions

The aim of this study was to determine whether skeletal and/or dental asymmetries are presented in individuals with normal dental occlusions. Frontal cephalometric radiographs and dental arch casts were obtained from 20 Brazilians from Rio de Janeiro whose mean age was 22.4 years. Normal dental occlusions were present in all individuals. Nine bilateral triangles were established on the radiographs for the craniodentofacial complex. The area for each triangle was calculated, and the frequency of asymmetries on the dental casts was investigated. When comparing right and left sides on the radiographs, Student's tests did not show statistically significant differences in triangle areas, although the areas were not symmetrical. Males and females showed similar results when the areas of the radiographic triangles were compared between sexes. Maxillary and mandibular dental midlines, palatal raphe on the casts, and median sagittal plane on the radiographs were almost coincident. Additionally, the frequency of molar asymmetries on the dental casts was not statistically different, but molar asymmetries greater than 1 mm were present in 50% of the sample.