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Dental arch asymmetry in the mixed dentition
1Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Missouri at Kansas City 64108-2784, USA. kulak@smtpgate.umkc.edu
The Angle Orthodontist
|March 21, 1998
Summary
Many children with mixed dentition exhibit dental asymmetry, particularly in the transverse dimension. This study quantifies intra-arch asymmetry, finding it more prevalent and severe than anteroposterior asymmetry.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics and Dental Anthropology
- Craniofacial Development and Growth
Background:
- Clinical evaluation of dental asymmetry often relies on subjective comparisons of occlusal landmarks.
- Quantifying asymmetry is crucial for understanding developmental variations and treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and describe maxillary and mandibular intra-arch asymmetry in Caucasian children during the mixed dentition stage.
- To investigate the relationship between intra-arch and interarch asymmetry.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the median palatal plane (MPP) for transverse measurements and a computer-constructed transverse palatal plane (TPP) for anteroposterior measurements.
- Analyzed asymmetry in 52 Caucasian children in the mixed dentition.
- Employed Pearson's correlation to assess the association between landmark positions.
Main Results:
- Asymmetry exceeding 2.0 mm was observed in 25% of the sample.
- Transverse intra-arch asymmetries were more prevalent and severe than anteroposterior asymmetries.
- A strong association was found between anteroposterior and transverse interarch landmarks, suggesting similar arch dimensions.
Conclusions:
- Children in the mixed dentition frequently present with intra-arch asymmetries.
- Transverse plane asymmetries are more common and pronounced than anteroposterior asymmetries in this population.
- The findings highlight the importance of evaluating transverse dimensions in orthodontic assessments of dental asymmetry.